摘要
AIMTo compare patients who underwent resection of early stage hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in three different countries. METHODSThis retrospective study characterizes 573 stage I/II HCC patients treated with liver resection in 3 tertiary-referral centers: Tokyo (n = 250), Honolulu (n = 146) and Shanghai (n = 177). RESULTSShanghai patients were younger, predominantly male, hepatitis-B seropositive (94%) and cirrhotic (93%). Tokyo patients were older and more likely to have hepatitis-C (67%), smaller tumors, low albumin, and normal alpha-fetoprotein. The Honolulu cohort had the largest tumors and 30% had no viral hepatitis. Age-adjusted mortality at 1 and 5-years were lower in the Tokyo cohort compared to Honolulu and there was no difference in mortality between Shanghai and Honolulu cohorts. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein, low albumin and tumor > 5 cm were associated with increased 1-year mortality. These factors and cirrhosis were independently associated with increased 5-year mortality. Independent risk factors of survival varied when examined separately by center. CONCLUSIONThe profile of early-stage HCC patients is strikingly different across countries and likely contributes to survival differences. Underlying differences in patient populations including risk factors/comorbidities influencing disease progression may also account for variation in outcomes.
AIM To compare patients who underwent resection of early stage hepatocellular cancer(HCC) in three different countries. METHODS This retrospective study characterizes 573 stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ HCC patients treated with liver resection in 3 tertiaryreferral centers: Tokyo(n = 250), Honolulu(n = 146) and Shanghai(n = 177).RESULTS Shanghai patients were younger, predominantly male, hepatitis-B seropositive(94%) and cirrhotic(93%). Tokyo patients were older and more likely to have hepatitis-C(67%), smaller tumors, low albumin, and normal alpha-fetoprotein. The Honolulu cohort had the largest tumors and 30% had no viral hepatitis. Ageadjusted mortality at 1 and 5-years were lower in theTokyo cohort compared to Honolulu and there was no difference in mortality between Shanghai and Honolulu cohorts. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein, low albumin and tumor > 5 cm were associated with increased 1-year mortality. These factors and cirrhosis were independently associated with increased 5-year mortality. Independent risk factors of survival varied when examined separately by center. CONCLUSION The profile of early-stage HCC patients is strikingly different across countries and likely contributes to survival differences. Underlying differences in patient populations including risk factors/comorbidities influencing disease progression may also account for variation in outcomes.