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Hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: is hepatocellular carcinoma more aggressive in pregnant patients?

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences

Abstract

Background/purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during pregnancy is a very rare condition and is believed to have a worse prognosis than HCC in non-pregnant women. We evaluated the prognosis and the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCC in pregnant women.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 4 cases in our hospital and 44 cases described in the medical literature since 1957; we also compared the cases reported before 1995 and those reported during/after 1995.

Results

The overall 6-month and 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in the patients reported in the literature were 50, 29.5, 18.2, and 13.6%, respectively (n = 44). The mean ages at diagnosis before and during/after 1995 were 31.4 ± 7.2 and 28.9 ± 4.4 years, respectively (P = 0.113). The following characteristics were significantly more common in the later group: fewer pregnancies; the absence of advanced signs or symptoms; receipt of therapy; tendency to undergo surgery; and higher 6-month and 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates. The median survivals of the groups before and during/after 1995 were 18 and 25.5 months, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The morbidity and mortality of HCC during pregnancy has improved over time, as diagnoses have tended to be made earlier and patients have tended to receive surgical and other treatments.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant of the Korea Healthcare technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs, Republic of Korea (A084120).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kwandong Graduate School of Medicine, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea

    Kang Kook Choi

  2. Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Young Nyun Park

  3. Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250, Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Korea

    Young Ju Hong, Jin Sub Choi, Woo Jung Lee & Kyung Sik Kim

  4. Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Sae Byeol Choi

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  1. Kang Kook Choi
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Correspondence to Kyung Sik Kim.

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Choi, K.K., Hong, Y.J., Choi, S.B. et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: is hepatocellular carcinoma more aggressive in pregnant patients?. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci 18, 422–431 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00534-010-0345-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00534-010-0345-6

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