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Analysis of Risk Factors for Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Transplantation

ObjectiveTo determine the risk factors for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MethodsThe clinical data from seventysix consecutive HCC patients who underwent OLT were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into nonrecurrence group (n=53) and recurrence group (n=23) based on recurrence, and the characteristics of tumor recurrence were analyzed. ResultsThe overall recurrence rate of tumor was 30.3% (23/76). By univariate analysis, gender (P=0.449), age (P=0.091), received preoperative therapy or not (P=0.958), tumor numbers (P=0.212), and HBV/HCV infection (P=0.220) were not closely related with tumor recurrence, while the integrality of tumor capsule (P=0.009), tumor stage (P=0.002), tumor diameter (Plt;0.001), vascular invasion (Plt;0.001), and AFP level before transplantation (P=0.044) were significantly related with tumor recurrence. Furthermore, the oneyear recurrence rate of tumor was higher in patients whose AFP level returned to normal within two months after transplantation (Plt;0.001) and tumor diameter was less than 5.0 cm (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor diameter (P=0.001, OR=6.456, 95%CI: 2.356-17.680), vascular invasion (P=0.030, OR=10.653, 95%CI: 1.248-90.910), and AFP level before transplantation (P=0.017, OR=2.601, 95%CI: 2.196-5.658) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. ConclusionMore attentions shall be paid to these patients with tumor diameter gt;5.0 cm, vascular invasion, and AFP level before transplantation ≥400 μg/L, in particular AFP level is beyond normal within two months after transplantation, and antitumor therapy shall be given as soon as possible.