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Long-term results after liver transplantation for primary hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

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Abstract

Background: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PHEHE) is a multifocal, low-grade malignant neoplasia characterized by its epithelial-like appearance and vascular endothelial histogenesis. The outcome of 16 patients treated with orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the subject of this report.

Methods: A retrospective study of 16 patients with HEHE (7 men, 9 women) with ages ranging from 24 to 58 years (mean 37 ± 10.6 years). Follow-up intervals ranged from 1 to 15 years (median of 4.5 years).

Results: Actual patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100, 87.5, and 71.3%, respectively. Disease-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 81.3, 68.8, and 60.2%, respectively. The 90-day operative mortality was 0. Involvement of the hilar lymph nodes or vascular invasion did not affect survival. The 5-year survival of HEHE compares favorably with that of hepatocellular carcinoma at the same stage (stage 4A): 71.3 versus 9.8% (p=0.001)

Conclusions: The long-term survival obtained in this series justifies OLT for these tumors even in the presence of limited extrahepatic disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    J. R. Madariaga MD, I. R. Marino MD, D. D. Karavias MD, H. R. Doyle MD, S. Iwatsuki MD, PhD, J. J. Fung MD, PhD & T. E. Starzl MD, PhD

  2. the Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    M. A. Nalesnik MD

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  1. J. R. Madariaga MD
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  2. I. R. Marino MD
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  3. D. D. Karavias MD
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  4. M. A. Nalesnik MD
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  5. H. R. Doyle MD
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  6. S. Iwatsuki MD, PhD
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  7. J. J. Fung MD, PhD
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  8. T. E. Starzl MD, PhD
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Madariaga, J.R., Marino, I.R., Karavias, D.D. et al. Long-term results after liver transplantation for primary hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2, 483–487 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02307080

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02307080

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