Liver transplantation in association with hepatocellular carcinoma: an update of the International Tumor Registry.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an epithelial tumor derived from hepatocytes that accounts for more than 80% of all primary hepatic tumors. The severity of the underlying disease is almost always the key factor in deciding whether to consider liver resection or transplantation as its treatment. Data in our registry corresponding to almost 800 patients from transplant centers throughout the world showed that patient survival after liver transplantation was significantly affected by histologic grade, tumor size >5 cm, and the presence of positive nodes. Recurrence-free survival showed a correlation with tumor size >5 cm, positive nodes, bilobar spread, and vascular invasion. At the present time, 59% of patients in our registry are alive, 84% of whom are free of tumor. Of those who died, half did so without evidence of tumor.