Extent of resection for hepatocellular carcinoma 2 cm or less in greatest diameter

Background: The effectiveness of liver segmentectomy or larger resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 2 cm or less in greatest diameter has not been clarified. Methods: From 1985 to 1994, 125 patients with solitary HCC 2 cm or less in greatest diameter underwent curative hepatectomy (liver segmentectomy or larger resection, 94; subsegmentectomy, 31). The relationship between clinicopathological findings and surgical outcomes were examined. Results The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 68% and 47%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed the Child-Pugh class to be a significant prognostic factor. However, liver segmentectomy or larger resection did not have any significant effect on long-term survival. Conclusions Our data suggest that no further improvement of the survival rate can be achieved by liver segmentectomy or larger resection, compared with subsegmentectomy in patients with solitary HCC 2 cm or less in greatest diameter.