Early hepatocellular carcinoma: A long-term surgical outcome

The proposed definition for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are both a hepatic framework preservation within, and an well-differentiation of the tumor. To assess surgical impact on early HCC, 63 patients with a single HCC 2 cm or less in size were resected and followed. The criteria for surgery required a clinical diagnosis of HCC made by at least two specific features using at most six imaging methods, and the patient's hepatic functions meeting the Child class A. All 63 patients underwent radical hepatic resection with one mortality. Based on a gross typing, the tumors could be assigned to early HCC (n=15) and common HCC(n=48). Early HCCs were 15 (SD 4) mm in diameter, had nonspecific imaging profiles, and met the criteria at histological assessment. Vascular invasion and/or metastasis was confirmed microscopically in only one of early HCC. Cumulative overall and relapse-free survival rates were significantly higher in early I-ICC group than in common HCC group (p < 0.01): 100% vs 65% and 73% vs 24% at 5 years after surgery. Early HCC can be identified as a distinct clinical entity with high surgical cure, thereby its definition being justified.