OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of different treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombosis in the portal vein (TTPV) and evaluate the factors influencing the prognosis.
METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight patients with HCC associated with TTPV, whose liver function was compensative and the tumor with TTPV can probably be resected together, were divided into four groups: conservative treatment group (n=14); chemotherapy group (n=19); surgical resection group (n=19); and surgical resection with postoperative chemotherapy group (n=64).
RESULTS: The median survivals of the four groups were 3.5, 7.1, 10.1 and 13.4 months, respectively. The 0.5-, 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative survival rates of the surgical resection with postoperative chemotherapy group were 53.7%, 37.6%, 30.7% and 14.0% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P<0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative chemotherapeutic course was the most important factor affecting the surgical results.
CONCLUSIONS: If patients’ liver function is compensative and tumors with TTPV can be removed together, exploration should be done. Surgical resection combined with postoperative chemotherapy can achieve the best results. More chemotherapeutic courses after surgical resection can be prescribed if the patients have good hepatic functional reserve.