A Case of Repeated Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Hepatitis C in a Patient Who Had Obtained a Sustained and Complete Response to Interferon Therapy

Ryota Higuchi, Satoshi Katagiri, Masakazu Yamamoto, Hideo Katsuragawa, Kenji Yoshitoshi, Mie Hamano, Shunichi Ariizumi, Yoshihito Kotera, Takehito Otsubo* and Ken Takasaki

Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
Gastroenterological Surgery, St. Marianna University*

A 72-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully treated with interferon (IFN) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) -related chronic hepatitis underwent right lobectomy of the liver for HCV-related HCC in June 1996. Pathological findings showed well-differentiated HCC. He underwent successful postoperative IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C from September 1996. He showed retained loss of HCV RNA and normal aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST and ALT). HCC reccurred, however, in segment 4 of the liver, which was resected in January 2001. Pathological findings showed moderately differentiated HCC. Postoperatively, he showed retained loss of HCV RNA and normal AST and ALT. A new lesion was detected on ultrasonography screening in October 2003. Ultrasonography and CT showed a tumor 18 mm in diameter in segment 3 of the liver. Based on the diagnosis of recurrent HCC, he underwent partial resection of segment 3 in October 2003. This case underscores the importance of long-term observation in cases successfully treated with IFN for HCV-related hepatitis.

Key words
hepatectomy, interferon, multicentric recurrence

Reprint requests
Ryota Higuchi Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
8-1 kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8666 JAPAN

Accepted
July 27, 2005

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