Abstract
We investigated the prognostic factors associated with survival after endoscopic treatment for liver cirrhosis with gastroesophageal varices in 184 patients. The overall cumulative 1-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rate was 84.0%, 67.3%, 50.7%, respectively, and the most significant survival factor was complication with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients were divided into HCC and non-HCC groups based on whether HCC was detected during the follow-up period. Furthermore, patients in the HCC group were divided into advanced HCC and non-advanced HCC groups dependent on the presence of Vp3-4, and/or extra-hepatic metastasis, and /or treatment resistance. Patients in the advanced HCC group had a significantly poorer prognosis compared to that for patients in the other groups. Patients in whom advanced HCC was found at the time of endoscopic treatment had a significantly poorer prognosis compared to the patients in whom advanced HCC was found after endoscopic treatment. Additionally, the former group of patients had a significantly higher rate of tumor thrombosis in the portal vein (Vp3-4). For liver cirrhotic patients with gastro-esophageal varices, it is important to control HCC that would develop after endoscopic treatment. Follow-up endoscopic treatment is critical prior to development of tumor thrombosis in the portal vein (Vp3-4).
