Does elevated perioperative transaminase level predict intrahepatic recurrence in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma after curative hepatectomy?
An elevated perioperative ALT level, which reflects increased hepatitis activity, is an independent risk factor for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatitis B-related HCC. It is also associated with a poorer disease-free survival rate.
These results suggest that HHCA is a previously unidentified risk factor for VGS. Patients with HHCA are susceptible to VGS and preoperative investigation would allow identification of patients at risk.