Underlying Liver Disease, Not Tumor Factors, Predicts Long-term Survival After Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Abstract
HEPATOCELLULAR carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide.1 Although the incidence of HCC in the United States is relatively low (1,2 More patients with HCC are being offered the option of resection because of improved methods of early detection of HCC, including α-fetoprotein (AFP) measurements and ultrasonography in patients with cirrhosis3,4 and improved patient selection, perioperative management, and surgical technique.5 Unfortunately, however, many patients do not benefit from hepatic resection for HCC because of recurrent disease within the first few years after surgery. Tumor-related factors known to predict recurrence and decrease survival duration include the presence of vascular invasion and large or multiple tumors.6,7