Journal
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
Volume 14, Issue 9, Pages 1370-1377Publisher
W J G PRESS
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.1370
Keywords
small hepatocellular carcinoma; hepatic resection; des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin; vascular invasion; prognostic factor
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AIM: To clarify the effect of a high des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) level on the invasiveness and prognosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Among 142 consecutive patients with known DCP levels, who underwent hepatectomy because of hepatocellular carcinoma, 85 patients met the criteria for small hepatocellular carcinoma, i.e. one <= 5 cm sized single tumor or no more than three <= 3 cm sized tumors. RESULTS: The overall survival rate of the 142 patients was 92.1% for 1 year, 69.6% for 3 years, and 56.9% for 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that microscopic vascular invasion (P = 0.03) and serum DCP >= 400 mAU/mL (P = 0.02) were independent prognostic factors. In the group of patients who met the criteria for small hepatocellular carcinoma, DCP >= 400 mAU/mL was found to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free (P = 0.02) and overall survival (P = 0.0005). In patients who did not meet the criteria, the presence of vascular invasion was an independent factor for recurrence-free (P = 0.02) and overall survivals (P = 0.01). In 75% of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma and high DCP levels, recurrence occurred extrahepatically. CONCLUSION: For small hepatocellular carcinoma, a high preoperative DCP level appears indicative for tumor recurrence. Because many patients with a high preoperative DCP level develop extrahepatic recurrence, it is necessary to screen the whole body. (c) 2008 WJG. All rights reserved.
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