Orthotopic liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of results in incidental and known hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver transplantation (LTx) is known therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We undertook a retrospective chart review and analysis of our experience with 19 patients with HCC who had undergone LTx between June 1995 and January 2003. We compared the results of 12 patients with known HCC (group I) with that of 7 patients with incidental HCC (group II). We found that the incidence of multifocal disease, lymphatic involvement, and tumor-free survival was not significantly different between the two groups. One patient in group I died of tumor. Patient survival was better in group II (100%), with a median follow-up of 45 months, as 4 more patients in group I (with known HCC) died of reasons unrelated to tumors, with a median follow-up of 23 months. We conclude that LTx in patients with either incidental or known HCC results in excellent tumor-free survival.