Liver Transplantation Results for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chile

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the liver. Liver transplantation is the best treatment for HCC; it improves survival, cures cirrhosis, and abolishes local recurrence. We describe the outcomes of patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation in two liver transplantation centers in Chile. Methods. This study is a clinical series elaborated from the liver transplantation database of Pontificia Universidad Catolica and Clinica Alemana between 1993 and 2009. The survival of patients was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The significant alpha level was defined as <.05. Results. From 250 liver transplantations performed in this period, 29 were due to HCC. At the end of the study, 25 patients(86%) were alive. The mean recurrence-free survival was 30 months (range 5 months to 8 years). The 5-year survival for patients transplanted for HCC was >80%; however, the 5-year overall survival of patients who exceeded the Milan criteria in the explants was 66%. There was no difference in overall survival between patients transplanted for HCC versus other diagnosis (P = .548). Conclusion. This series confirmed that liver transplantation is a good treatment for patients with HCC within the Milan criteria.