Effectiveness of Hepatic Resection for Early-stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients: Subgroup Analysis according to Milan Criteria

Abstract

Hepatic resection can confer a considerable overall survival benefit for cirrhotic patients with HCC who meet the Milan criteria. For patients with HCC who do not meet the criteria, however, hepatic resection has limited efficacy. We suggest that application of non-surgical therapy or expansion of the indications for liver transplantation may be warranted for such patient subsets.