Prognostic factors for survival in primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of survival after curative resection of primary liver cancer (PLC). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty four patients underwent resection PLC between January 1991 and December 2000. Univariate and multivariable analysis were used to retrospectively identify factors associated with overall survival when resection was curative for primary tumor. RESULTS: Overall 1, 2, 3 and 5 - year survival rates were 76.0%, 57.5%, 35.2% and 6.0% respectively. Recurrence after one year was 35%. Eleven predictive factors - clinical, laboratory, pathological and surgical were analyzed. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival were vascular invasion (p = 0.006) and stage (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection is an effective treatment for PLC, even in advanced cases. The overall survival were low, because of late diagnosis and recurrence of the tumors.