Tumor localization as a prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma
Torii, A.; Harada, A.; Nonami, T.; Nakao, A.; Takagi, H.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 41(1): 16-19
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 8175107 Document Number: 429865
We investigated the significance of tumor localization as a contributory factor in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. A trend toward a better survival rate was noted in the 57 patients whose tumors were confined to the left hepatic lobe . The difference in survival was significant (p < 0.02) in stage I and stage II disease, but equivalent survival rates were seen in stage III and stage IV disease. The right lobe group patients with stage I or stage II disease who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy had a better survival rate than those undergoing subsegmentectomy or limited resection (p < 0.001). But in the left lobe group, no difference was observed with various operative procedures. These results lead us to speculate that tumor localization might be a contributory factor in the postoperative prognosis, and an important determinant of the operative approach to hepatocellular carcinoma.