Prognostic Factors and Clinicopathologic Features after Resection of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤2 cm)

Purpose: Hepatectomy has been regarded as the first treatment of choice for small hepatocellular carcinoma. However, hepatectomy for treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma remains a critical issue. This study evaluates the role of treatment regarding the survival rate and clinicopathological features after resection of small hepatocellular carcinoma (<= 2 cm) Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical records of 48 small hepatocellular carcinoma (<= 2 cm) patients who received surgical hepatectomy from 1990 to 2005. Patients who revealed on postoperative pathologic reports were enrolled. The survival rate was analyzed according to clinicopathologic and therapeutic factors and we analyzed the pathologic features of the recurrence group. Results: The presence of liver cirrhosis, ICGR15 (Indocyanine green retension-15) was statistically significant in the univariate analysis. The vascular invasion rate and capsule formation rate was 90, 80% in the recurrence group. Conclusion: In the small hepatocellular carcinoma (<= 2 cm), the presence of liver cirrhosis, ICGR15 (Indocyanine green retension-15) should be checked to predict prognosis. The small hepatocellular carcinoma (<= 2 cm) is similar to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma so hepatectomy may play an important role in the small hepatocellular carcinoma (<= 2 cm). (J Korean Surg Soc 2009;76:94-99)