Clinical characteristics and outcome of a cohort of 101 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To conduct a cohort study of 101 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting to a tertiary care medical referral center in Germany between 1997 and 1999.METHODS AND RESULTS Data were retrospectively analyzed by chart review. In 95cases (72 males and 23 females) sufficient data were available for analysis. Twenty-five (29%)of 8.5 patients were HBsAg or anti-HBc positive,21/85 (25%) were anti-HCV positive, and 6/85(7%) were positive for both HBV and HCV-markers. Age was significantly lower in HBV-positive patients than in the other two groups.Thirty-one (34%) of 90 patients had histories of alcohol abuse, In 79/ 94 (84%) patients,cirrhosis was diagnosed. Of these cirrhotic patients, 29/79 (37%) belonged to Child-Pugh's group (CHILD) A, 32/79 (40%) to CHILD B, and 18/79 (23%) to CHILD C. AFP was elevated in 61/91 (67%) patients. A single tumor nodule was found in 38/94 (40%), more than one nodule in 31/94 (34%), and 25/94 (26%) had a diffusely infiltrating tumor, i.e. the tumor margins could not be seen on imaging procedures. Portal vein thrombosis was present in 19/ 94 (20%).Imaging data consistent with lymph node metastases were found in 10/92 (11%), while distant metastases were found in 8/93 (9%).According to Okuda 28/94 (30%) were grouped to stage Ⅰ, 53/94 (56%) were grouped to stage Ⅱ, and 13/94 (14%) were grouped to stage Ⅲ.Survival data were available for 83 patients. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for median survival was 8.4 months. Factors influencing survival were the Okuda score, the presence of portal vein thrombosis, and the presence of ascites. The presence of non-complicated liver cirrhosis by itself, distant metastases, or infection with hepatitis viruses did not influence survival. AFP positivity by itself did not influence survival,though patients with an AFP value greater than 100μg/L did experience shortened survival.Treatment besides tamoxifen or supportive care was associated with prolonged survival. The influence of therapy on survival was most pronounced in Okuda stage Ⅱ