Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the caudate lobe

Nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the caudate lobe who underwent hepatic resection were studied. The caudate lobe was divided into three parts, according to the criteria of Kumon, including the Spiegel lobe, the paracaval portion and the caudate process. The tumors were located in the Spiegel lobe in four, the paracaval portion in four and the caudate process in one. Surgical procedures consisted of right hepatic lobectomy in one, central bisegmentectomy in one and caudate lobectomy in seven. The mean surgical time was 379 +/- 129 min; the mean estimated blood loss was 2,994 +/- 2,303 ml. The above-mentioned surgical risks were more clearly recognized in the paracaval portion than in the Spiegel lobe. In addition, most patients experienced significant post-operative complications. Six of eight patients with 6 mo or longer follow-up had recurrences, and two of six patients died. The characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe were as follows: (a) a higher surgical risk, and more definite risk in the paracaval portion; and (b) a higher rate of early recurrence. A left lobectomy for the Spiegel lobe, a right or left trisegmentectomy for the paracaval portion and a right lobectomy for the caudate process would be ideal from the point of view of the portal supply of the caudate lobe. However, in cirrhotic patients either a caudate lobectomy or partial resection might be preferable because longer survival can be expected.