Background & objective: Most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unresectable even without extra-hepatic metastasis. In addition, about 80%-90% patients in China are accompanied with cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is probably more proper for these patients than other treatments. This study was to explore the value of liver transplantation for treatment of advanced HCC without extra-hepatic metastasis, and to summarize the experience of liver transplantation performed in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University.
Methods: Ten patients with advanced HCC without extra-hepatic metastasis who underwent liver transplantation in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from Sept. 2003 to Apr. 2004 were followed up to May 2004, and their clinical records were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: The mortality within 1 month after operation was 0.0% for 10 cases of liver transplantation. One patient was alive for 7 month with tumor recurrence, and the remaining 9 patients were alive for 1-6 months without recurrence. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) decreased to normal range within 2 months in 2 cases with macro tumor thrombus in the trunk of portal vein, and the left branch of portal vein, respectively.
Conclusion: Advanced HCC without extra-hepatic metastasis, even with macro tumor thrombus in portal vein, is still indicated for liver transplantation.