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Incidence and Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation in the MELD Era

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Abstract

Background and Aims

Deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) rates for candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have significantly increased in the MELD era because of the extra priority given to these candidates. We examined the incidence and pre-DDLT radiological and donor factors associated with post-DDLT HCC recurrence in the MELD era.

Methods

Outcomes of HCC candidates aged ≥18 years that underwent DDLT between 2/28/02 and 6/30/08 (n = 94) were reviewed. The primary outcome was biopsy-proven post-LT HCC recurrence at any site. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to calculate the cumulative incidence and Cox regression was used to identify the predictors of post-LT HCC recurrence.

Results

The median age of the 94 candidates who met the study criteria was 54 years, 64% had hepatitis C, median lab MELD was 13, and median pre-LT AFP was 47 ng/dl. Based upon pre-DDLT imaging, 94% candidates met the Milan criteria. The median waiting time to transplant was 47 days and 27% received pre-DDLT loco-regional therapy. Seventeen (18%) developed HCC recurrence after 2.1 median years with a cumulative incidence of 6.8, 12, and 19% at 1, 2, and 3 years post-DDLT. The pre-DDLT number of lesions (p = 0.015), largest lesion diameter (p = 0.008), and higher donor age (p = 0.002) were the significant predictors of HCC recurrence after adjusting for pre-LT loco-regional therapy and waiting time. Post-LT HCC recurrence (p < 0.0001) and higher donor age (p = 0.029) were associated with lower post-LT survival.

Conclusions

Post-LT HCC recurrence is higher in our MELD era cohort than the reported rate of 8% at 4 years in Mazzaferro et al.’s study. The risk of HCC recurrence was significantly associated with the number of lesions and size of the largest lesion at the time of DDLT as well as with older donor age. Risk stratification using a predictive model for post-LT HCC recurrence based on pre-LT imaging and donor factors may help guide candidate selection and tailoring of HCC surveillance strategies after LT.

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Abbreviations

DDLT:

Deceased donor liver transplantation

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

IOC:

Index of concordance

MELD:

Model for end-stage liver disease

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Pratima Sharma was supported by an American Society of Transplantation/Roche clinical science faculty development grant for 2008 and Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research NIH-CTSA, UL1RR024986, Collaborative Type 2 (Bedside to community) grant. Dr. Sharma is also supported by National Institutes of Health grant KO8 DK-088946. This research was presented, in part, as a free communication at the American Transplant Congress, 2010, held in San Diego, California.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Pratima Sharma, Robert J. Fontana & Jorge Marrero

  2. Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Kathy Welch

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Shawn J. Pelletier & Robert M. Merion

  4. Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Hero Hussain

  5. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, 3912, Taubman Center, SPC 5362, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Pratima Sharma

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  1. Pratima Sharma
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  2. Kathy Welch
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  3. Hero Hussain
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  4. Shawn J. Pelletier
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  5. Robert J. Fontana
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  6. Jorge Marrero
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  7. Robert M. Merion
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Correspondence to Pratima Sharma.

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Sharma, P., Welch, K., Hussain, H. et al. Incidence and Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation in the MELD Era. Dig Dis Sci 57, 806–812 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1910-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1910-9

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