Outcomes of Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Portal Vein Invasion

Background: To evaluate our experience of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients associated with macroscopic portal vein invasion (WI). Methods: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent liver resection for HCC between November 2009 & June 2019 were included. To overcome selection bias between patients with and without macroscopic PVI, we performed 1:1 match using propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Macroscopic PVI was detected in 37 patients (12.8%). We divided our patients into two groups according to the presence of macroscopic PVI. After PSM, 36 patients of PVI group were matched with 36 patients from Non-PVI group. After PSM, both groups were well balanced regarding tumor site, number, liver resection extent and type. Longer operation time and more blood loss were noted in PVI group. Higher incidence of post-operative morbidities occurred in PVI group especially, post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction. The 1-, 2-, and 3-y overall survival rates for Non-PVI group were 85.3%, 64.6%, and 64.6% & 69.8%, 42%, and 0% for PVI group, respectively ( P = 0.009). There were no significant differences regarding the recurrence rate, site, and its management. The 1-, 2-, and 3-y disease-free survival (DFS) rates for Non-PVI group were 81.7%, 72.3%, and 21.7% & 67.7%, 42.3%, and 0% for PVI group, respectively ( P = 0.172). Conclusion: Surgical management of advanced HCCs with macroscopic PVI is feasible, and associated with comparable DFS but poorer overall survival, compared to patients without PVI. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the experience of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with macroscopic portal vein invasion and found that patients with macroscopic PVI had lower overall survival rates and higher incidence of post-operative morbidities. However, there were no significant differences in terms of recurrence rate and disease-free survival rates between the two groups.