Hepatocellular carcinoma in undamaged liver
Hepatocellular carcinoma mainly affects patients with cirrhosis or with various degrees of fibrosis. From 1979 to 1990, among 87 patients who underwent hepatic resection for non fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, 12 (14%) had a non fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma developed in a normal liver. There were 8 men and 4 women, aged 29 to 74 years. In 7 patients (58%) hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with clinical manifestations. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen were absent in all patients. Serum alphafetoprotein level was less than 100 mg/ml in 10 (83%), size of the tumor was greater than or less than 5 cm in 10 (83%) and capsule was present in 10 (83%). Resections included removal of 2 segments or more in 11 (91%). One patient died postoperatively. Actuarial survival rate at 3 and 5 years were respectively 57% and 38%. Intra or extrahepatic recurrence was recognized in 8 (67%), 2 patients were alive respectively 28 and 16 months after treatment of their intrahepatic recurrence (resection in one and intra-arterial embolisation in one). In conclusion, our results suggest that aggressive surgical efforts are justified in non fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma arising in normal liver.