In patients with low viral loads, high levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have been shown to predict development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether high levels of HBsAg increase the risk for HCC recurrence after hepatic resection remains unknown.
To investigate the association between levels of HBsAg and the risk for tumor recurrence after curative resection in HCC patients with low levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA.
Design, Setting, and Participants
We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 1062 patients with low HBV DNA levels (<200 IU/mL) who underwent partial hepatectomy for HCC. In particular, we investigated the association between levels of HBsAg and recurrence of HCC.
Partial hepatectomy for HCC.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The risk for first tumor recurrence between patients with high and low HBsAg levels. We calculated cumulative incidences and hazard ratios after adjusting for competing mortality.
The risk for tumor recurrence increased with HBsAg levels of 1000 IU/mL or greater. When we compared the groups with low (<1000 IU/mL) and high (≥1000 IU/mL) HBsAg levels, the 5-year disease-free survival rate (46.1% vs 34.1% [P = .002]) and the overall survival rate (57.5% vs 48.8% [P = .004]) were better in the group with low HBsAg levels. On multivariate analysis, hepatitis B e antigen seropositivity, HBsAg level of 1000 IU/mL or greater, tumor size of greater than 5 cm, blood transfusion, surgical margin of less than 1.0 cm, the presence of satellite nodules, and the presence of portal vein tumor thrombus were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence. When compared with hepatitis B e antigen status, HBsAg level better predicted recurrence of HCC.
Conclusions and Relevance
A preoperative HBsAg level of 1000 IU/mL or greater is an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence in patients with low HBV DNA levels.