Liver transplantation for hepatic tumors: A small center experience

Abstract

The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the data of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatic tumors (HT). We present the results of diagnosis and treatment for HT with LT. The study included 17 patients, 12 males and 5 females, aged 25 to 69 years. The main indication for LT was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under the Milan criteria in 13 cases, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in one case, hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) in two cases and adenomatosis hepatis (AH) in one case. The history of the underlying disease of HT ranged from 5 to 20 years and the history of HT diagnosis history ranged from zero to 5 years. The waiting time for LT was one to 48 months. One-year survival rate for the HCC patients was 69% (9/13). Regrettably, two of them whose tumor progressed beyond the Milan criteria during waiting time, possibly associated with liver biopsy, died due to HCC recurrence. The mistakenly transplanted CCA patient died four months later due to tumor recurrence. The general condition of the HEHE and AH patients has been good over 5 years after LH. However, one HEHE patient had extra-and intrahepatic recurrence.In conclusion, recent guidelines for HCC diagnosis, based on frequent radiological imaging alone, without confirming biopsy, may improve the results of LT for HCC patients. At small canters, LT for CCA is not yet practicable. LT is a promising procedure for HEHE and AH patients even in advanced and recurrent cases at all centers. Keywords: Liver transplantation, Hepatic tumors