Response to interferon therapy affects risk factors for postoperative recurrence of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Interferon therapy might reduce recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma, especially among sustained virologic or biochemical responders. Methods: Of 209 patients who underwent curative resection for early-stage hepatitis C virus related hepatocellular carcinoma, 70 patients underwent interferon therapy. A sustained virologic or biochemical response was achieved in 40 patients (SVR/BR group). Thirty no responders and 139 patients who had not received interferon therapy were classified as the NR/non-IFN group. Risk factors for postoperative recurrence in each group were analyzed. Results: The tumor-free survival rates in the SVR/BR group were significantly higher than those in the NR/non-IFN group. By multivariate analysis, the presence of multiple tumors was independently associated with recurrence after resection in both groups, while histologic evidence of cirrhosis was another independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence in the NR/non-IFN group. Conclusions: Newly multicentric carcinogenesis after resection could be suppressed when active hepatitis is controlled by interferon therapy. Patients with single hepatitis C virus related hepatocellular carcinoma detected after successful interferon therapy are good candidates for surgical resection. Adjuvant interferon therapy might be indicated for patients who undergo curative resection for single hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis C.