Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) and to establish long-term surveillance protocols for late HCC recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 232 LT recipients experiencing subsequent HCC recurrence were categorized as Group 1, early recurrence (within 1 year of LT; n=117); Group 2, late recurrence (occurring in years 2-5; n=93); and Group 3, very late recurrence (after year 5; n=22). RESULTS Recurrence was detected by only elevated tumor marker levels in 11.1%, 30.1%, and 45.5% of patients in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p<0.001). The proportion of intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases was similar in all 3 groups. Common sites of extrahepatic metastasis were the lung and bone; these were also similar across the 3 groups. Overall post-recurrence patient survival rates were 60.2% at 1 year, 28.2% at 3 years, 20.5% at 5 years, and 7.0% at 10 years. Median post-recurrence survival periods were 10.2, 23.8, and 37.0 months in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS While the pattern of HCC recurrence was similar regardless of time of recurrence, post-recurrence survival was significantly longer in patients with later recurrence. Long-term surveillance for HCC recurrence beyond 5 years after LT is recommended.