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Inferior Outcomes Associated with the Coexistence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence and Hepatic Virus Reinfection After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

  • Kun-Ming ChanEmail author
  • Tsung-Han Wu
  • Chih-Hsien Cheng
  • Chen-Fang Lee
  • Ting-Jung Wu
  • Hong-Shiue Chou
  • Wei-Chen Lee
Original Article
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Abstract

Background

Chronic viral hepatitis remains a major etiology of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplantation has been considered an effective treatment for this condition. This study aims to analyze living donor liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with hepatitis virus status.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 268 patients who received living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma was performed. Patients were analyzed according to their serologic status of hepatitis virus; clinicopathologic features, operative parameters, and outcomes were also assessed and compared.

Results

Twenty-three patients (8.6%) had hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence following liver transplantation; the most common pattern of recurrence was systemic spreading (n = 10). Hepatitis B virus relapse was encountered in 41 out of 188 patients (21.8%) with hepatitis B virus-positive, and hepatitis C virus reactivation was noted in 48 (60.8%) patients among 79 hepatitis C virus-positive patients. Incidence of hepatitis C virus reactivation was significantly higher than that of hepatitis B virus relapse (p < 0.0001). Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and overall survival were not significantly different in relation to hepatitis virus; however, patients who had hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence combined with hepatitis virus reinfection had the significantly lowest survival rate compared with other groups (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Living donor liver transplantation based on expanded hepatocellular carcinoma criteria achieved a satisfactory result, but reinfection of hepatic virus remains a great concern particularly in patient with hepatitis C. Moreover, hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence accompanied with reinfection of hepatic virus after liver transplantation is associated with inferior outcomes.

Keywords

Hepatocellular carcinoma Liver transplantation Virus hepatitis 
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Notes

Author Contributions

Study concept, design and drafting the manuscript: Kun-Ming Chan

Acquisition of data: Kun-Ming Chan, Tsung-Han Wu, Chih-Hsien Cheng, Chen-Fang Lee, Ting-Jung Wu, Hong-Shiue Chou, Wei-Chen Lee

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Kun-Ming Chan, Wei-Chen Lee

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of General Surgery & Department of Organs Transplantation Institute, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at LinkouChang Gung University College of MedicineTaoyuan CityTaiwan

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