Extent of resection for hepatocellular carcinoma 2 cm or less in greatest diameter

Background: The effectiveness of liver segmentectomy or larger resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 2 em or less in greatest diameter has not been clarified. Methods: From 1985 to 1994, 125 patients with solitary HCC 2 em or less in greatest diameter underwent curative hepatectomy (liver segmentectomy or larger resection, 94; subsegmentectomy, 31). The relationship between clinicopathological findings and surgical outcomes were examined. Results: The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 68% and 47%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed the Child-Pugh class to be a significant prognostic factor. However, liver segmentectomy or larger resection did not have any significant effect on long-term survival. Conclusions: Our data suggest that no further improvement of the survival rate can be achieved by liver segmentectomy or larger resection, compared with subsegmentectomy in patients with solitary HCC 2 cm or less in greatest diameter. (C) 2002 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.