Objective: To evaluate the role of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: Data of 92 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) performed during January 1999 and February 2005 at our institution were analyzed.
Results: Of the 92 recipients, 8 HCC patients were stage I, 13 were stage II, 12 stage III and 59 stage IV (UICC TNM staging system). Overall 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year patient survival rates were 65.3%, 27.0%, 20.0%, and 6.9%, respectively. When OLT indications were considered, best recipients survival was obtained in stage I patients (100.0%, 100.0%, 66.7%, and 50.0% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively) and stage II patients (85.7%, 66.7%, and 66.7% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively). Whereas, 1, 2, 3 and 5-year recipients survival rates were 50.0%, 0, 0, 0 in stage III patients, and 58.1%, 20.0%, 13.0% and 5.0% in stage IV patients.
Conclusions: The prognosis of different stages of HCC patients who underwent OLT was significantly different. The OLT recipients with HCC should be strictly selected. Long-term recipient survival could be obtained in stage I and stage II patients.