Practical Considerations of Real Life of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Tertiary Center of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy that develops in cirrhotic livers. Its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and mortality rates vary according to geographical region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile, epidemiological characteristics, laboratory parameters, treatment and survival of patients with HCC. Material and methods. Patients with HCC seen between 2000 and 2012 were studied. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis according to variables in question. Results. The study included 247 patients with a mean age of 60 ± 10 years. There was a predominance of males (74%). The main etiologies of HCC were HCV infection (55%), excessive alcohol consumption (12%), and HBV infection (8%). Liver cirrhosis was present in 92% of cases. The mean tumor number and diameter were 2 and 5 cm, respectively. Patients meeting the Milan criteria corresponded to 43% of the sample. Liver transplantation was performed in 22.4% of patients of the Milan subset and in 10% of the whole sample. The overall mean survival was 60 months, with a 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability of 74%, 40% and 29%, respectively. Lower survival was observed among patients with alcoholic etiology. Survival was higher among patients submitted to liver transplantation (P < 0.001), TACE (P < 0.001), or any kind of treatment (P < 0.001). However, no difference was found for surgical resection (P = 0.1) or sorafenib (P = 0.1). Conclusion. Patients with HCC were mainly older men diagnosed at an advanced stage. Treatment was associated with better overall survival, but few patients survived to be treated.

Liver transplantation for carcinoma hepatocellular in Aão Paulo: 414 cases by the Milan/Brazil criteria / O transplante hepático por hepatocarcinoma na era meld em São Paulo: análise de 414 casos transplantados pelo critério de Milão/Brasil

ABSTRACT Background: The criterion of Milan (CM) has been used as standard for indication of liver transplantation (LTx) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide for nearly 20 years. Several centers have adopted criteria expanded in order to increase the number of patients eligible to liver transplantation, while maintaining good survival rates. In Brazil, since 2006, the criterion of Milan/Brazil (CMB), which disregards nodules <2 cm, is adopted, including patients with a higher number of small nodules. Aim: To evaluate the outcome of liver transplantation within the CMB. Methods: The medical records of patients with HCC undergoing liver transplantation in relation to recurrence and survival by comparing CM and CMB, were analyzed. Results: 414 LTx for HCC, the survival at 1 and 5 years was 84.1 and 72.7%. Of these, 7% reached the CMB through downstaging, with survival at 1 and 5 years of 93.1 and 71.9%. The CMB patient group that exceeded the CM (8.6%) had a survival rate of 58.1% at five years. There was no statistical difference in survival between the groups CM, CMB and downstaging. Vascular invasion (p<0.001), higher nodule size (p=0.001) and number of nodules >2 cm (p=0.028) were associated with relapse. The age (p=0.001), female (p<0.001), real MELD (p<0.001), vascular invasion (p=0.045) and number of nodes >2 cm (p<0.014) were associated with worse survival. Conclusions: CMB increased by 8.6% indications of liver transplantation, and showed survival rates similar to CM.

RESUMO Racional: O critério de Milão (CM) vem sendo utilizado como padrão para indicação do transplante hepático (TxH) por hepatocarcinoma (HCC) em todo mundo há quase 20 anos. Diversos centros têm adotado critérios expandidos com intuito de aumentar o número de pacientes candidatos ao transplante, mantendo bons índices de sobrevida. No Brasil, desde 2006, o critério de Milão/Brasil (CMB), que desconsidera nódulos <2 cm, é adotado, incluindo pacientes com maior número de nódulos pequenos. Objetivo: Avaliar o resultado do transplante hepático dentro do CMB. Métodos: Foram analisados os prontuários dos pacientes com HCC submetidos ao TxH em relação à recidiva e sobrevida através da comparação entre CM e CMB. Resultados: Em 414 TxH por HCC, a sobrevida em 1 e 5 anos foi de 84,1 e 72,7%. Destes, 7% atingiram o CMB através de downstaging, com sobrevida em 1 e 5 anos de 93,1 e 71,9%. O grupo de pacientes do CMB que excederam o CM (8,6%) teve sobrevida de 58,1% em cinco anos. Não houve diferença estatística na sobrevida entre os grupos CM, CMB e downstaging. A invasão vascular (p<0,001), tamanho do maior nódulo (p=0,001) e número de nódulos >2 cm (p=0,028) associaram-se com recidiva. A idade (p=0,001), sexo feminino (p<0,001), MELD real (p<0,001), invasão vascular (p=0,045) e o número de nódulos >2 cm (p<0,014) estiveram associados com a piora na sobrevida. Conclusões: O CMB aumentou em 8,6% as indicações de TxH e apresentou índices de sobrevida semelhantes ao CM.