Evaluation of the Effect of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Following Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma on the Prevention of its Early Recurrence in the Remnant Liver

Abstract

In an attempt to prevent early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the remnant liver we gave hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy after hepatectomy. To determine its efficacy 46 patients with HCC were divided into two groups. In group A only hepatectomy was performed, while in group B hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with mitomycin C was given every two weeks in addition to chemolipiodolization by mitomycin C and doxorubicin every four months, following hepatectomy for a year through an implantable port system. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the patients' background factors except for the follow-up period. In group B 7 patients had recurrences within 2 years after hepatectomy, and in 6 of them the site of recurrence was in the remnant liver. The cumulative disease-free survival rate for group A and group B, respectively, were as follows: 1 year, 76%, 83%; 2 years, 76%, 52%; 3 years, 58%, 52%. The differences in disease-free survival rate and cumulative survival rate between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. We conclude that postoperative intermittent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy is not effective for prevention of early recurrence of HCC in the remnant liver.