Serum concentration of type IV collagen 7S domain as a marker for increased risk of recurrence after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background/aims: Serum concentration of type IV collagen 7S domain (7S collagen) is a marker of hepatic fibrosis. We investigated the usefulness of measuring the serum 7S collagen concentration as a risk factor for recurrence after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The serum 7S collagen concentration was measured before liver resection for HCC in 219 patients. Group 1 included 102 patients with a high serum concentration of 7S collagen (>or=8.0 ng/ml), and group 2 consisted of 117 patients with a low serum concentration of 7S collagen (<8.0 ng/ml). Clinicopathologic findings and outcome after surgery were compared between groups.

Results: The results of liver function tests were better in group 2 than in group 1. The percentage of patients with cirrhosis or who underwent minor resection was higher in group 1 than in group 2. The percentage of patients with moderately or poorly differentiated HCC or portal invasion was higher in group 2 than in group 1. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified that a high serum concentration of 7S collagen (>or=8.0 ng/ml) was an independent risk factor for recurrence.

Conclusion: Measuring the serum 7S collagen concentration is useful to estimate the risk of recurrence after resection of HCC.