Two cases with long-term survival following hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus invasion of the inferior vena cava, after multidisciplinary therapy including surgery

Abstract

Case 1: A 73-year-old man underwent right hepatectomy, including removal of a tumor thrombus that extended to the right atrium. Bone metastasis was found 29 months postoperatively; however, it was well controlled by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Presently, five years after the surgery, the patient is symptom free and leading a normal life. Case 2: A 67-year-old man underwent extended left hepatectomy and tumor thrombectomy. Since many liver metastases were found during the operation, transarterial chemotherapy was administered. He has no signs of disease 58 months postoperatively. A possible explanation for the good survival time in these patients involves the resection of the large tumors and tumor thrombi that might have otherwise been symptomatic and exerted harmful effects on the patients, accompanied by treatments for recurrent or remaining lesions that were highly effective. Therefore, multidisciplinary approaches, including surgical procedures, are thought to be the most effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava.