Analysis of Results of Hepatectomy for Small Liver Cancer

Yasuo Matsuda, Kuniya Nakajima, Masahiro Fujikawa, Toshikazu Ito, Hitoshi Mizuno, Hiroshi Yoshida, Iwao Yabuchi*, Minoru Nishioka*, Toyohiro Izukura

Department of Surgery, *Department of Internal Medicine, Ohtemae Hospital

Results of hepatectomy for 2l patients with small liver cancer and 41 patients with non-small liver cancer, excluding absolutely non-curative resections, were analyzed. The survival rates for small liver cancer and non-small liver cancer were as follows: 3-year survival, 95% and 44%, respectively; 5-year survival, 6l% and 33%, respectively. The survival rate for small liver cancer was significantly higher than that for non-small liver cancer (p<0.01) and the mortality due to carcinoma of small liver cancer was significantly lower than that of non-small liver cancer (p<0.05). However the rate of recurrence in the two groups was not significantly different. The disease-free interval for small liver cancer was significantly longer than that for non-small liver cancer (p<0.05) and the rate of solitary intra-hepatic metastasis or a second primary lesion of small liver cancer was significantly higher than that of non-small liver cancer. The rate of re-operation for intrahepatic recurrence of small liver cancer was significantly higher than that for non-small liver cancer (p<0.05). It is concluded that long-term follow-up is necessary for small liver cancer after hepatectomy and that re-operation for a solitary recurrence is important for the long-term survival of patients with small liver cancer.

Key words
small liver cancer, post-operative survival rate, second primary lesion, re-hepatectomy

Reprint requests
Yasuo Matsuda The Department of Surgery, Otemae Hospital
1-5-34, Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540 JAPAN

Accepted
October 11, 1990

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