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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 7/2018

01-07-2018 | Original Article

Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Achieved Long-Term Recurrence-Free Survival After Curative Therapy: Impact of the ALBI Grade

Authors: Hajime Matsushima, Yuko Takami, Tomoki Ryu, Munehiro Yoshitomi, Masaki Tateishi, Yoshiyuki Wada, Hideki Saitsu

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 7/2018

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Abstract

Background/Aims

Some patients experience very late recurrence of HCC more than 5 years after initial therapy. We aimed to clarify the predictive factors for very late recurrence of HCC in such cases.

Methods

Among 807 HCC patients undergoing surgical resection or ablative therapy with curative intent, the patients who survived for 5 years without any recurrence were reviewed. The prognosis and possible predictive factors for late recurrence were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 184 patients survived for more than 5 years without recurrence. Among them, 61 patients experienced recurrence, at a median of 6 years after initial therapy. In univariate analysis, the pre-treatment aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, Child-Pugh class, and ALBI grade were not related to recurrence, but those at 5 years after treatment were significantly related to recurrence. By multivariate analysis, an ALBI grade of 2–3 at 5 years was an independent risk factor for recurrence (P < 0.0001). Moreover, variation of the ALBI grade over the 5 years after the initial treatment was significantly related to recurrence-free survival.

Conclusions

The ALBI grade is an effective index of the variation in liver function after curative therapy and may be a useful prognostic factor for the long-term recurrence-free survival of HCC patients.
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Metadata
Title
Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Achieved Long-Term Recurrence-Free Survival After Curative Therapy: Impact of the ALBI Grade
Authors
Hajime Matsushima
Yuko Takami
Tomoki Ryu
Munehiro Yoshitomi
Masaki Tateishi
Yoshiyuki Wada
Hideki Saitsu
Publication date
01-07-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-018-3745-6

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