Incidence and factors associated with intrahepatic recurrence following resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The long-term survival rate after liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is far from satisfactory, mainly because of high intrahepatic recurrence (IHR) rates. This study was aimed to clarify clinicopathologic factors relevant to IHR after resection of HCC. Methods: The 10-year cumulative intrahepatic recurrence rates were analyzed in terms of seven clinical and eight pathological factors in 201 patients with curative hepatic resection. Results: IHR was found in 121 patients during the follow-up period. The overall IHR rates were 22% at 1 year, 43% at 2 years, 62% at 3 years, 72% at 4 years, 75% at 5 years, and 75% at 10 years. Age, sex, and serum α-fetoprotein level, hepatitis B virus markers, and extent of liver resection were not significantly related to the IHR rate. Postoperative chemotherapy mainly with anthracycline tended to suppress IHR (P = 0.0889), but preoperative chemoembolization did not affect IHR. The presence of cirrhosis, satellite nodules, and venous invasion and the absence of capsule formation were associated with higher recurrence rates throughout the observation. Positive surgical margin (≤5 mm) was also associated with a higher IHR rate. Although not significant, well-differentiated HCCs showed a higher recurrence rate in comparison with poorly differentiated tumors. Size and number of tumor did not influence the IHR rate. Conclusions: Accurate patient selection and adequate hepatic reserve are important considerations in the management of HCC by resection.