Effect of viral status on recurrence after liver resection for patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

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Abstract
Risk factors for recurrence after resection of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) require more precise definition. Forty patients who underwent liver resection for HBV-related HCC were studied. Their clinical findings, laboratory data (including viral status), pathologic findings, and operative methods were evaluated for recurrence risk in univariate and multivariate analyses. The HB envelope (HBe) antigen, wild-type HBV, intrahepatic metastases, elevated serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and moderately or severely active hepatitis were more likely to be found in patients with a high viral load than in patients with a low viral load. Precore mutant-type HBV was more likely to be found in patients with a low viral load than in patients with a high viral load. The platelet count was significantly lower in the patients with a high viral load. A high viral load, the presence of wild-type HBV, the absence of anti-HBe, the absence of precore mutant-type HBV, Child score B, a low platelet count, and a positive surgical margin were risk factors for recurrence in univariate analysis. A nonanatomic resection tended to be a risk factor. A high viral load and positive surgical margin were independent risk factors for recurrence. The measurement of viral load and detection of anti-HBe, wild-type HBV, and precore mutant-type HBV are useful for estimating a patient's prognosis after resection of HBV-related HCC.