Impact of non-oncological and oncological factors on tumor recurrence in HCC liver transplanted patients – single liver transplant centre experience

Background. The aim of this study was to identify pre-transplant risk factors that lead to tumor recurrence and to evaluate mortality in liver transplanted patients from the single Liver Transplant Center in Romania. Methods. 81 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2011 and 2015 at the Fundeni Clinical Institute were assessed based on age, sex, type of operation, histopathological staging, pre-transplant bridging therapies, etiology of cirrhosis, San Francisco and Up to seven scores, AFP and CA19-9. Results. Between 2011 and 2015, 81 out of 454 liver transplants were performed for hepatocarcinoma (17.84%). The most frequent etiology was the HVB and HVD co-infection 39.7%. The 1 and 3 years-survival rates were 81.15%, respectively 72.5%. The 1 year and 3 years tumor recurrence rate were 14.49%, respectively 15. Conclusions. We identified as risk factors for 1 year-tumor recurrence the following: pre-transplant Milan, San Francisco and Up to Seven scores, pre-transplant AFP > 200 ng/ml and Edmonson/Steiner staging. Age over 65 at transplant was not correlated to cancer recurrence, 1 year and 3 years mortality rates or postoperative complications.