Hepatectomy in the treatment of very big primary liver cancer: report of 86 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study the indications for resection of very big primary liver cancer and the operative results.
METHODS: From January 1985 to June 1996, 86 patients with very big primary liver cancer (>/= 15 cm in diameter) underwent hepatectomy in our hospital. The volume of bleeding and blood transfusion was recorded during the operation. After the operation, the draining quantity from their abdominal cavities, and the days of transfusion and hospitalization were recorded. The occurrence of complications and survival time of the patient were followed up.
RESULTS: The postoperative mortality was 3.48% and the occurrence rate of complications was 31.40%, which was significantly correlated with preoperative lower level of serum albumin or the elevated gamma-globulin level and the amount of resected liver tissue. But their liver function before operation was fairly good, the 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy were 58.2%, 35.7% and 17.64%.
CONCLUSIONS: patients with very big primary liver cancer, should be subjected to hepatectomy if their liver function before operation are normal and the margins are distinct between the tumor and liver tissues. After the operation, other treatments are suitable for good effects.