Relationship between clinicopathologic features and tumor recurrence in HCC after liver transplantation

Objective To determine the risk factors affecting tumor recurrence and tumor free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Thirty-one consecutive patients with HCC receiving OLT were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data including tumor size, number, distribution, vascular invasion, tumor recurrence and survival were analyzed.Results The follow-up duration was 12 to 24 months (mean 15 months). By life table, tumor free survival of 6, 12 and 18 months were respectively 83.87 %, 74.19 % and 59.49 %. The median survival time was 24.00+. Child-Pugh grade, Edmondson grade and tumor number were not closely related with tumor recurrence. Following variables were correlated significantly with tumor recurrence: tumor size, vascular invasion, pTNM, Milan-criteria. Vascular invasion and pTNM were risk factors for tumor free survival.Conclusion Tumor size, pTNM, vascular invasion and MILAN-criteria were risk factors of tumor recurrence, and so that affecting the tumor free survival.