Dinjar Kujundžić, Petra, Ostojić, Ana, Mijić, Maja, Jelić, Ana, Sobočan, Nikola, Lalovac, Miloš, Kunac, Nino, Ilić, Diana, Borčić, Tina, Bogadi, Ivan, Mišetić Dolić, Zrinka, Škurla, Bruno, Mrzljak, Anna, Kocman, Branislav, Vidjak, Vinko, Gašparov, Slavko, Filipec Kanižaj, Tajana., and Mikolašević Ivana, Bokun Tomislav
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest growing indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide.1 The expected five-year survival rates of LT for HCC meeting conventional Milan criteria are 65%–80% and they are influenced by tumor recurrence.2 AIM The aim of the study was to analyze risk factors for HCC recurrence and 5-year rate survival in patients who underwent LT for HCC. T MATERIALS AND METHODS his retrospective study included 198 patients who underwent LT for HCC between 2006 and 2018 in University hospital Merkur. Pre- and post- transplant data was tested using univariate analysis (UA) and multivariate analysis (MA) to assess variables influencing HCC recurrence and 5- year survival rate. RESULTS The five-year HCC recurrence rate was 11%. After UA, risk factors for HCC recurrence were: HCC beyond Milan criteria (MC) based on surgical specimen (SS), more than 3 HCC lesions on SS, total tumor diameter >9cm, micro- and macro- vascular invasion of HCC. Following MA, only total tumor diameter > 9 cm remained independent risk factors for recurrence of HCC. The five-year survival rate was 81%. Median of follow up was 37 months. Based on UA, risk factors for 5-year mortality were: age >60 years, HCC beyond MC based on SS, more than 3 HCC lesions in SS, AFP >1000 ng/mL, micro- and macro- vascular invasion and recurrence of HCC. After MA, independent risk factors were age >60, more than 3 HCC lesions and recurrence of HCC (OR 1.07, 1.09 and 3.62, CI 95 %, respectively). CONCLUSION Patients after LT for HCC have good prognosis with more than 80% 5-year survival and 11% HCC recurrence rate. Total HCC diameter > 9 cm, measured on surgical specimen, is the only independent risk factors for the recurrence of HCC. Furthermore, recurrence of tumor is most significant risk factor for the 5- year mortality. Other risk morality factors are recipient age > 60 and more than 3 HCC lesions on surgical specimen.