Protein Induced by Vitamin K Antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II) Is a Reliable Prognostic Factor in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <2 cm in diameter has a favorable prognosis. Therefore surgical resection of small HCC is associated with good outcomes. However, the predisposing factors of prognosis following resection of HCC remain ill‐defined. The aims of the present study were to identify the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of patients with small HCC and analyze the predisposing factors for tumor recurrence after surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 180 patients with small HCC who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2010. Independent predictors of tumor recurrence were identified with Cox regression analysis.ResultsThe 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year disease‐free survival rates and overall survival rates were 83.7, 68.0, 65.3, and 98.9, 96.5, 92.7 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis reported that protein induced by the vitamin K antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II) ≥200 mAU/mL, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≥80 IU/mL, and microvascular invasion were important predisposing factors for tumor recurrence. Elevated serum PIVKA‐II level was associated with microvascular invasion in small HCC, which was a powerful predisposing factor.ConclusionsAlthough small HCC is generally associated with a good prognosis, serum PIVKA‐II level ≥200 mAU/mL, ALP ≥ 80 IU/L, and microvascular invasion were predisposing factors for tumor recurrence. These factors can be used to stratify patients with respect to recurrence after resection. Elevated PIVKA‐II was closely associated with microvascular invasion in small HCC. These data emphasize the importance of PIVKA‐II in small HCC.