Prognostic factors for portal venous invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background. Factors involved in portal venous invasion (PVI) must be clarified to enable better determination of therapeutic strategies and outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. Of 365 patients with HCC who consulted our department between January 1999 and January 2003, 53 with PVI at the initial consultation were excluded, and the other 312 without PVI were included in this study. Of these patients, we compared liver function, tumor markers, and initial treatment between 287 patients without PVI during follow-up (until December 2004) and 25 patients who developed PVI, and investigated prognostic factors. Results. Multivariate analysis using a COX regression model showed that a Lens culinaris A-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) rate of 15% or more, a des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) level of 100 mAU/ml or more, multiple tumors, and a platelet count of 130 000/mm(3)p or more were correlated with PVI. Conclusions. HCC frequently infiltrated the portal vein in patients with a high rate of AFP-L3, a high level of DCP, or multiple tumors. Furthermore, the incidence of PVI was significantly higher in patients with a platelet count of 130000/mm(3) or more.