The prognostic factor for outcome following second resection for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma with a hepatitis B virus infection background

Current status and prospect of treatments for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Owing to its heterogeneous and highly aggressive nature, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high recurrence rate, which is a non-negligible problem despite the increasing number of available treatment options. Recent clinical trials have attempted to reduce the recurrence and develop innovative treatment options for patients with recurrent HCC. In the event of liver remnant recurrence, the currently available treatment options include repeat hepatectomy, salvage liver transplantation, tumor ablation, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, stereotactic body radiotherapy, systemic therapies, and combination therapy. In this review, we summarize the strategies to reduce the recurrence of high-risk tumors and aggressive therapies for recurrent HCC. Additionally, we discuss methods to prevent HCC recurrence and prognostic models constructed based on predictors of recurrence to develop an appropriate surveillance program.

Surgical Strategies for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Resection: A Review of Current Evidence

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and both liver resection and liver transplantation are considered potentially curative options. However, high recurrence rates affect the prognosis depending both on the primary HCC pathology characteristics or on the type and time of the relapse. While great attention has been usually posted on treatment algorithms for the first HCC, treatment algorithms for recurrent HCC (rHCC) are lacking. In these cases, surgery still represents a curative option with both redo hepatectomy and/or salvage liver transplantation, which are considered valid treatments in selected patients. In the current era of personalised medicine with promises of new systemic-targeted immuno-chemotherapies, we wished to perform a narrative review of the literature on the role of surgical strategies for rHCC.

Liver-Directed Treatment Options Following Liver Tumor Recurrence: A Review of the Literature

Recurrence following curative-intent hepatectomy for colorectal cancer liver metastasis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or cholangiocarcinoma is unfortunately common with a reported incidence as high as 75%. Various treatment modalities can improve survival following disease recurrence. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed. In addition to systemic therapy, liver-directed treatment options for recurrent liver disease include repeat hepatectomy, salvage liver transplantation, radiofrequency or microwave ablation, intra-arterial therapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Repeat resection can be consider for patients with limited recurrent disease that meets resection criteria, as this therapeutic approach can provide a survival benefit and is potentially curative in a subset of patients. Salvage liver transplantation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma is another option, which has been associated with a 5-year survival of 50%. Salvage transplantation may be an option in particular for patients who are not candidates for resection due to underlying liver dysfunction but meet criteria for transplantation. Ablation is another modality to treat patients who recur with smaller tumors and are not surgical candidates due to comorbidity, liver dysfunction, or tumor location. For patients with inoperable disease, transarterial chemoembolization, or radioembolization with Yttrium-90 are liver-directed intra-arterial therapy modalities with relatively low risks that can be utilized. Stereotactic body radiation therapy is another palliative treatment option that can provide a response and local tumor control for smaller tumors.

Extrapolating Prognostic Factors of Primary Curative Resection to Postresection Recurrences Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatable by Radiofrequency Ablation

Objective

Recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of death from this disease. Factors of primary curative resection are available and potential in the prognosis of follow-up treatment. Our aim was to assess the prognostic significance of primary curative resection factors in recurrent HCC patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA).

Methods

In this retrospective study, we assessed 235 patients who underwent limited RFA of HCC recurrences (tumors ≤ 5 cm; nodules ≤ 3) after primary curative resection. Factors of primary curative resection were collected, and overall survival and recurrence-free survival were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant prognostic factors.

Results

After a median follow-up of 36 months, 54 patients died, and 128 patients had hepatic recurrence. On univariate analyses, patients whose primary tumors were less differentiated (p = 0.032 and p = 0.048) and required less time to recur (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001) after curative resection displayed poorer overall survival and higher recurrence rates following RFA. On multivariate analyses, the pathologic tumor grade (p = 0.026 and p = 0.038) and recurrence-free survival after primary curative resection (p = 0.028 and p < 0.001) emerged as independent risk factors of survival and HCC recurrence.

Conclusions

Primary tumor differentiation and time to recurrence after curative resection are viable prognostic factors of overall survival and further recurrence risk in patients undergoing RFA of recurrent HCC.

Repeat hepatectomy for patients with early and late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Repeat hepatectomy is a feasible treatment modality for intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy of hepatocellular carcinoma, yet the survival benefit remains ill-defined. The objective of the current study was to define long-term, oncologic outcomes after repeat hepatectomy among patients with early and late recurrence.

METHODS

Patients undergoing curative-intent repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma were identified using a multi-intuitional database. Early and late recurrence was defined by setting 1 year after initial hepatectomy as the cutoff value. Patient clinical characteristics, overall survival, and disease-free survival were compared among patients with early and late recurrence before and after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Among all the patients, 81 had early recurrence and 129 had late recurrence from which 74 matched pairs were included in the propensity score matching analytic cohort. Before propensity score matching, 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival after resection of an early recurrence were 41.7% and 17.9%, respectively, which were worse compared with patients who had resection of a late recurrence (57.0% and 39.4%, both P < .01). After propensity score matching, 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival among patients with early recurrence were worse compared with patients with late recurrence (41.0% and 19.2% vs 64.3% and 43.2%, both P < .01). After adjustment for other confounding factors on multivariable Cox-regression analysis, early recurrence remained independently associated with decreased overall survival and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 2.22, 95% confidence interval 1.35-3.34, P = .001; hazard ratio 1.86, 95% confidence 1.26-2.74, P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Repeat hepatectomy for early recurrence was associated with worse overall survival and disease-free survival compared with late recurrence. These data may help inform patients and selection of patients being considered for repeat hepatectomy of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

Is the anatomical resection necessary for single hepatocellular carcinoma smaller than 3 cm?: single-center experience of liver resection for a small HCC

Backgrounds/Aims

The superiority of anatomical resection (AR) for a small HCC remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the clinical outcomes after AR and non-anatomical liver resection (NAR) for single HCC smaller than 3 cm and the risk factors for HCC recurrence.

Methods

A total of 116 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for single HCC (<3 cm) between Jan 2006 and Dec 2015 were included in this study. The medical records of these patients were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

There was no significant difference in tumor recurrence and survival between AR and NAR group. Multivariate analysis showed that hepatitis B (p=0.035, HR=8.72), presence of satellite nodule (p=0.029, HR=3.97) and microvascular invasion (MVI) (p=0.039, HR=2.79) were independent risk factors for early recurrence within 1 year. The overall recurrence was independently related to the presence of satellite nodule (p=0.001, HR=4.98) and background liver cirrhosis (p=0.032, HR=1.96). In patients with MVI, HCC recurrence was significantly more frequent in width of safety margin <1 cm group than ≥1 cm group (p=0.049).

Conclusions

The outcomes of NAR are comparable with those of AR in single HCC smaller than 3 cm. The presence of satellite nodule, MVI and hepatitis B are the independent risk factors for early recurrence, however overall recurrence is correlated with background liver cirrhosis and the presence of satellite nodule rather than pathobiologic factors in single HCC smaller than 3 cm. Hepatic resection with sufficient margin (≥1 cm) is recommended for decreasing risk of recurrence in patients with suspected MVI.

Meta-analysis of determinants of survival following treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following resection is common. However, no current consensus guidelines exist to inform management decisions in these patients. Systematic review and meta-analysis of survival following different treatment modalities may allow improved treatment selection. This review aimed to identify the optimum treatment strategies for HCC recurrence.

Methods

A systematic review, up to September 2016, was conducted in accordance with MOOSE guidelines. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio for overall survival of different treatment modalities. Meta-analysis of different treatment modalities was carried out using a random-effects model, with further assessment of additional prognostic factors for survival.

Results

Nineteen cohort studies (2764 patients) were included in final data analysis. The median 5-year survival rates after repeat hepatectomy (525 patients), ablation (658) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (855) were 35·2, 48·3 and 15·5 per cent respectively. Pooled analysis of ten studies demonstrated no significant difference between overall survival after ablation versus repeat hepatectomy (hazard ratio 1·03, 95 per cent c.i. 0·68 to 1·55; P = 0·897). Pooled analysis of seven studies comparing TACE with repeat hepatectomy showed no statistically significant difference in survival (hazard ratio 1·61, 0·99 to 2·63; P = 0·056).

Conclusion

Based on these limited data, there does not appear to be a significant difference in survival between patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy or ablation for recurrent HCC. The results also identify important negative prognostic factors (short disease-free interval, multiple hepatic metastases and large hepatic metastases), which may influence choice of treatment.

Does anti-HBV therapy benefit the prognosis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatectomy?

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important etiological factor for hepatocarcinogenesis, because HBV DNA load and HBV reactivation are major risks that influence the long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy and, thus, may cause postoperative liver function deterioration, tumor recurrence, and reduce patient's overall survival. However, anti-HBV therapy can suppress HBV replication, improve the remnant liver function, render patients better able to tolerate HCC treatments, and may even improve their prognosis. In this paper, an anti-HBV therapy that benefits the prognosis of HBV-related HCC following hepatectomy is reviewed.

Clinical efficacy and predictors of outcomes of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma - a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatectomy is an accepted treatment for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with good long-term survival, but high rates of recurrence. This review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent HCC after initial hepatectomy.

METHODS

Electronic searches identified 22 eligible studies comprising of 1125 patients for systematic review. Studies with >10 patients, adopting repeat hepatectomy treatment for recurrent HCC initially treated with hepatectomy were selected for inclusion. A predetermined set of data comprising demographic details, morbidity and mortality indices and survival outcomes were collected for every study and tabulated.

RESULTS

Majority of patients selected for repeat hepatectomy had Child-Pugh A (median 94%, range 40-100). Intrahepatic recurrence occurred at a median of 22.4 (range 12-48) months in this patient cohort with single nodule recurrences comprising of 70% of cases. The median mortality rate was 0% (range 0-6%). Prolonged ascites was observed in a median of 4% (range 0-32%), bleeding in 1% (range 0-9%), bile leak in 1% (range 0-6%) and liver failure in 1% (range 0-2%). The median disease-free survival was 15 (range 7-32) months and median overall survival was 52 (range 22-66) months. Median 3-year and 5-year survival was 69% (range 41-88%) and 52% (range 22-83%) respectively. Recurrences occurring 12-18 months after initial hepatectomy was consistently associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSION

Synthesized data from observational studies of repeat hepatectomy suggests that this treatment approach for recurrent HCC is safe and achieves long-term survival. Standardization of criteria for repeat hepatectomy and a randomized trial are warranted.

Poor Prognostic Factors after Repeat Hepatectomy for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Modern Era

The purpose of this study was to determine the poor prognostic factors after repeat hepatectomy (Hx) in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Overall survival rates and clinicopathological variables in 112 patients with repeat Hx from 1992 to 2010 were compared with those in 531 patients who underwent a primary Hx. To clarify the poor prognosis factors after repeat Hx, survival data among 112 patients were univariately and multivariately analyzed. Overall survival after repeat Hx was similar for that of the patients who underwent a primary Hx. The mean age of repeat Hx group was significantly higher, and a well-preserved liver function was recognized than the primary Hx group. Multivariate analysis revealed that: 1) indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes; 2) disease-free interval; 3) tumor size; 4) portal vein invasion at primary Hx; 5) gender; and 6) estimated blood loss to be an independent and significant poor prognostic factors. The overall 3-year postrecurrence overall survival rates were 100, 91.3, 59.6, and 0 per cent at risk number (R) R0, R1/2, R3, R4, respectively ( P < 0.05). Repeat Hx provided a good compatible prognosis with primary Hx. In our findings, five risk factors to predict poor outcomes after repeat Hx were useful. Patients with recurrent HCC do not have universally poor outcomes, and our simple scoring system using five poor prognostic factors could serve to advise the prognosis and the potential benefit for patient selection about repeat Hx.

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma: clinical features, treatment modalities, and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is an uncommon subtype of primary liver cancer that has rarely been reported in large-scale clinical studies. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features, treatment modalities, and prognosis of cHCC-CC.

METHODS

Included in this study were 113 patients who were histologically diagnosed as having Allen type C cHCC-CC, 103 of whom received liver resection, 6 transarterial chemoembolization treatment, 3 radiofrequency ablation, and 1 palliative supportive treatment. Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of 103 cHCC-CC patients after liver resection were compared with those of 6,679 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 386 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who underwent liver resection during the same period.

RESULTS

The proportion of cHCC-CC in primary liver cancers was 1.5 %. The 103 cases of cHCC-CC were characterized by male predominance, infection with hepatitis virus or presence of liver cirrhosis, and elevated alfa-fetoprotein-findings similar to HCC. However, serum CA19-9 elevation, incomplete capsules, and lymph node involvement were similar to ICC. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates after liver resection were 73.9, 41.4, and 36.4 %, respectively, for patients with cHCC-CC versus 77.5, 53.3, and 41.4 % for HCC patients, and 58.0, 29.1, and 22.3 % for ICC patients (χ(2) = 137.5, P < 0.001). Tumor, node, metastasis system stage (hazard ratio 1.27, 95 % confidence interval 1.08-1.49, P = 0.003) and radical liver resection (hazard ratio 0.31, 95 % confidence interval 0.14-0.68, P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

cHCC-CC has biological behavior and prognosis that are intermediate between HCC and ICC. Radical liver resection can provide a better outcome for this uncommon malignancy.

Long-term outcomes of repeat hepatic resection in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma and analysis of recurrent types and their prognosis: a single-center experience in China

BACKGROUND

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection usually originates from intrahepatic metastasis (IM) or multicentric occurrence (MO). The long-term outcomes of repeat hepatic resection in patients with different types of recurrence have not been evaluated in a large number of patients. The surgical indications for recurrent HCC remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term outcomes of repeat hepatic resection and clinicopathologic factors associated with different types of recurrent HCC, and to single out principle differentiating factors between IM and MO.

METHODS

82 patients who underwent repeat hepatic resection for recurrent HCC were retrospectively studied. The recurrent type was evaluated by histopathologic analysis of primary and recurrent HCC. The recurrence and survival rates as well as clinicopathologic factors associated with different types of recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

45 patients (54.9%) had confirmed with IM, and 37 patients (45.1%) had with MO. The recurrence rates in the MO patients after initial or repeat resection were significantly lower than those in the IM patients (p < 0.001). The overall survival rates in the MO patients after initial or repeat resection were significantly higher than those in the IM patients (p < 0.001). Recurrence-free time was identified as the most significant differentiating factor between IM and MO. A recurrence-free time of 18 months after initial resection was a significant cutoff time point for differentiating between IM and MO. A recurrence-free time of less than or equal to 18 months and microvascular invasion at repeat resection were independent adverse prognostic factors for overall survival after repeat hepatic resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat hepatic resection resulted in much higher survival rates in the MO patients than in the IM patients. Repeat hepatic resection could be recommended for those patients in whom the recurrent HCC occurs more than 18 months after initial resection.

Second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer: a Western experience

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recurrence of hepatocellular cancer after resection is a significant problem. The optimal treatment of patients with intrahepatic recurrence after resection and well-preserved liver function is not clear. We analyzed the outcomes of patients undergoing a second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer at a single Western center.

METHODS

The records of all patients undergoing primary hepatic resection for hepatocellular cancer between January 1994 and January 2009 were reviewed. Patients with a single intrahepatic recurrence, Child's A liver function, and platelet count>100,000/μl underwent a second hepatic resection. Clinical data was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 487 patients undergoing primary resection, 221 developed recurrence, and 35 underwent a second hepatic resection. There were no perioperative mortalities. There were 10 deaths during the study period; 5-year overall survival was 67% from second resection. Time to recurrence from primary resection<1 year and gross vascular invasion at second resection were predictors of survival and recurrence. Patients with recurrence>1 year from primary resection and without gross vascular invasion had a 5-year survival of 81%. There were 17 recurrences with a 3-year recurrence rate of 55%.

CONCLUSIONS

Second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer is applicable in about 15% of patient with recurrence. The procedure is safe and can achieve excellent results in well-selected patients. Recurrence continues to be a significant problem.

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: a local experience and a systematic review

Background

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Thirty-seven patients who underwent a curative repeat hepatectomy in our hospital were retrospectively studied. An extensive database literature search was performed to obtain for all relevant studies.

Results

In our series, there were no perioperative deaths during repeat hepatectomy for recurrent HCC. Patients survival after repeat hepatectomy were similar to 429 patients undergoing initial hepatectomy. A computerized search of the Medline and PubMed databases found 29 retrospective studies providing relevant data in 1149 patients were included for appraisal and data extraction. After the repeat hepatectomy, postoperative morbidity ranged from 6.2% to 68.2% with a median per cohort of 23.5 per cent. There were 7 perioperative deaths (0.7 per cent of 993 for whom mortality data were provided). The overall median survival ranged from 21 to 61.5 months, with 1 -, 3 -, and 5-year survival of 69.0% to 100%, 21.0% to 87.0%, and 25.0% to 87.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Repeat hepatectomy can be performed safely and is associated with long-term survival in a subset of patients with recurrent HCC. However, the findings have to be carefully interpreted due to the lower level of evidence. A randomized controlled study is needed to compare repeat hepatectomy and other modalities for recurrent HCC.

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma has an increased risk of subsequent recurrence after curative treatment

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Local ablation therapy has been shown to be effective for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, HCC recurrence is very frequent even after apparently curative treatment. In particular, recurrent HCC may be more prone to subsequent recurrence, although quantitative data are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the risk for subsequent recurrence, if any, between primary and recurrent cases.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 376 patients with HCC (uninodular and <or=5 cm, or 2-3 nodules each <or=3 cm) who underwent local ablation therapy. There were 207 primary cases (group I), 100 with first recurrence (group II), and 69 with second or later recurrence (group III). After confirming complete ablation, each patient was followed up for recurrence. Risk factors for recurrence-free survival were analyzed using proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

The median time to recurrence, as estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, was 30 months in group I, 23 months in group II, and 11 months in group III (P < 0.001). Multivariate proportional hazard regression analysis reveled that group (i.e. previous recurrence) was the strongest predictor of subsequent recurrence; compared to group I, group II showed a hazard ratio of 1.456 (P = 0.015) and group III, 3.011 (P < 0.0001). alpha-Fetoprotein level >100 ng/mL, treatment other than radiofrequency ablation, HCV antibody positivity, and tumor multinodularity also remained as significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

Hepatocellular carcinoma at second or later recurrence is three times as prone to subsequent recurrence as is primary HCC, when compared with adjustment for other tumor and hepatic factors.

Positive serum hepatitis B e antigen is associated with higher risk of early recurrence and poorer survival in patients after curative resection of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To study the impact of hepatitis B e antigen on tumor recurrence and patients' survival after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

Two hundred and three patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas (3cm) who had undergone curative resection were divided into HBeAg-positive group and HBeAg-negative group. Clinicopathological factors and postoperative outcomes were compared between groups, and risk factors for survival and recurrence were studied.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 32.9months. Patients with negative HBeAg had higher 5-year overall survival rates (76% vs 53.9%, hazards ratio (HR): 2.363, 95% CI: 1.335-4.181, p=0.002) and 5-year disease-free survival rates (52.9% vs 37.4%, HR: 1.603, 95% CI: 1.00-2.561, p=0.046). There was no significant difference in operative morbidity and tumor factors between the two groups, but younger age, higher serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and more macronodular cirrhosis were found in the HBeAg-positive group. Multivariate analysis revealed that age >50years, HBeAg positivity and macronodular cirrhosis were independent factors for overall survival, and HBeAg positivity and multiple tumor nodules were independent factors for disease-free survival. Positive serum HBeAg was associated with a higher risk of early recurrence (within 1year).

CONCLUSIONS

HBeAg is associated with a higher risk of early recurrence and poorer survival in patients after curative resection of small HCC.

Treatment of tumour recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Analysis of 97 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term results of aggressive treatment of HCC recurrence.

METHODS

Two hundred and nine consecutive patients underwent hepatic resection for HCC in our hospital. Tumour recurrence was diagnosed in 97 (51%) of the 190 patients with curative resection. Sixteen underwent hepatic resection: two right hepatectomies, one three-segmentectomy, one left hepatectomy, five two-segmentectomies, six segmental resections and one subsegmentectomy. Two patients with metastasis in the spine were submitted to a vertebral body resection. Twenty-five patients were treated with percutaneous ethanol injection or intra-arterial chemoembolization. Fifty-four patients with a poor performance status and liver function or multiple extra hepatic recurrences did not receive any treatment.

RESULTS

There were no operative deaths. The postoperative mortality rate was 5.5% (one patient). The cumulative overall survival after the second resection was respectively 89%, 46% and 31% at 1, 3 and 5 years. There was a significant difference in survival between patients treated with repeat resection and those submitted to a non-surgical or conservative treatment (p<0.0001). There were no differences in operative deaths, postoperative mortality and morbidity between the first and second hepatic resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive management with combined resection or loco regional therapy for intrahepatic recurrence and resection of isolated extra-hepatic recurrence may offer long-term survival in selected patients. Second liver resection for recurrence of HCC can be safely performed.