Open AccessEffects of Continuous Hepatitis with Persistent Hepatitis C Viremia on Outcome after Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Author(s) -
Kubo Shoji,
Nishiguchi Shuhei,
Shuto Taichi,
Tanaka Hiromu,
Tsukamoto Tadashi,
Hirohashi Kazuhiro,
Ikebe Takashi,
Wakasa Kenichi,
Kuroki Tetsuo,
Kinoshita Hiroaki
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1999.tb00729.x
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , viremia , hepatitis c virus , medicine , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , hepatitis , hepatitis c , liver function , alanine transaminase , hepacivirus , immunology , virus
The effect of persistent hepatitis C viremia on the outcome after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated in 59 consecutive patients with a single small HCC (??3.0 cm in diameter). The presence of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was evaluated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method as well as a branched DNA probe method. Clinicopathologic findings were compared between patients with and without viremia and the risk factors for poor outcome were evaluated. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was not detected in the sera from 7 patients (group 1), but was detected in the sera from the other 52 patients (group 2). Alanine a minotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. The proportion of patients with active hepatitis was significantly higher in group 2. In group 2, new HCC often developed after the operation and four patients died of liver dysfunction. HCV viremia, high ALT activity, high concentration of total bilirubin, and liver cirrhosis were related to recurrence after the operation. Multivariate analysis indicated that HCV viremia and high ALT activity were independent risk factors for recurrence of HCC. Continuous hepatitis with persistent HCV viremia worsened the outcome after the resection of HCC by causing new development of HCC and deterioration of liver function. In patients with HCV‐related HCC, but without HCV viremia, satisfactory results can be expected after liver resection.