LIVER CANCER
Abstract
Background. Liver cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor of the solid organs in the world, but it is relatively rare in Slovenia. Because of the hepatitis C spreading we can expect a considerable rise of hepatocellular carcinoma also in Slovenia. For diagnosis angiography with Lipiodol and CT scan after10 days is a useful method. AFP is elevated only in 60% of patients. The stage of liver disease is crucial for the treatment. The only possibility to cure these tumors is surgical removal when possible with segment oriented liver resection. For small HCC in decompensated cirrhosis liver transplantation is the treatment of choice. Good results in small tumors in advanced cirrhosis have been reported also using ablation methods or intersticial therapy. Recurrence is frequent and repeated surgical treatment is possible in about 50% of the patients.
Patients and methods. A two years review of surgical treatment of liver tumors in Slovenia is presented. We included patients with HCC and cholangiocarcinoma (parenchymal and hillar). There was 21 patient with HCC and 23 patients with cholangiokarcinoma treated in two centers (Ljubljana and Maribor). Chronic liver disease was found in only 30% of patients with HCC. Liver resection was performed in 35 patients; hepatectomy in 5 patients and segmental resection or wedge resection in 30 patients. There was 30% morbidity and 2.2% mortality in this group of patients.
Conclusions. We can conclude that only a small part of patients with HCC in Slovenia are being treated surgically, although our results of surgery are comparable with those from other specialized surgical institutions abroad.
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