Risk Factors For Microvascular Tumour Thrombi In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Univariate And Multivariate Analysis

Background: Microvascular tumour thrombi in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predict poor outcome and are a risk factor for intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases. Survival after liver transplantation is also affected. Our aim was to predict the risk factors for the presence of microvascular tumour thrombi.Methods: Seventy-six patients who had undergone hepatectomy for HCC in our hospital were included in a retrospective analysis from a prospective database.Results: Thirty-one patients (40.8%; mean age 50.7 +/- 12.2 years, P < 0.021) had microvascular tumour thrombi (group T) and 54 patients (group NT; mean age 58.6 +/- 15.4 years) did not. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that more than one HCC nodule, a large tumour, chronic hepatitis C infection and high serum aspartate aminotransferaselevels were significant risk factors for microvascular tumour thrombi. Age, preoperative serum bilirubin level and sex were not significant risk factors.Conclusion: Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection having multiple HCC nodules, large tumour size and high preoperative aspartate aminotransferase levels are at high risk for microvascular tumour thrombi.