Background/aims: The aim of this study is to clarify the limitations of hepatectomy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methodology: Fifty-six patients with Stage 4 hepatocellular carcinoma were retrospectively studied, and the prognostic factors were both univariately and multivariately analyzed. The VI score, which was defined as the degree of portal vein invasion (VP) multiplied by the degree of intrahepatic metastases (IM), was introduced as a new prognostic indicator.
Results: A univariate analysis revealed the following significant variables: hypertension, esophageal varices, Child's classification B or C, a bilirubin value of over 1.0 mg/dL, a albumin value of below 3.5 g/dL, a GOT value of over 100 IU/L, an AFP value of over 1000 ng/mL, a history of tumor rupture, Stage 4B, a tumor size of over 5 cm, VP3, IM3, and the VI score of no less than 6. A multivariate analysis demonstrated the following 4 variables to be independent prognostic indicators: a Stage of 4B, a VI score of no less than 6, a Child's classification of B or C, and a tumor size of over 5 cm. Furthermore, no long-term survivors were found in patients with either Stage 4B HCC or a hepatocellular carcinoma having a VI score of more than 6. At the present time, either Stage 4B or a hepatocellular carcinoma having a VI score > or = 6 are considered to be factors which means the limitation of hepatectomy alone. Furthermore, an advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with either poor liver function or a hepatocellular carcinoma with a size of over 5 cm should be carefully evaluated before determining its appropriateness for hepatectomy.
Conclusions: The VI score is therefore suggested to be a useful prognostic indicator for determining the surgical indications for advanced hepatocellular carcinomas.