Androgen and oestrogen receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding liver parenchyma: impact on intrahepatic recurrence after hepatic resection

Seventy-eight patients in whom androgen or oestrogen receptors, or both, were assayed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the surrounding liver were discharged from hospital after curative resection of the tumour. Intrahepatic recurrence was evaluated retrospectively after 28-128 months follow-up to determine the association with receptor status. Androgen and oestrogen receptors in HCC significantly influenced the intrahepatic recurrence rate. The recurrence-free 5-year survival rate was 55 per cent for patients who had androgen receptor-negative tumours, 24 per cent for oestrogen receptor-negative, 10 per cent for oestrogen receptor-positive and 0 for androgen receptor-positive (P = 0.0322). Recurrence-free 5-year survival in 57 patients who had both receptor assays was 75 per cent for patients who had androgen receptor-negative, oestrogen receptor-negative tumours, 50 per cent for androgen receptor-negative, oestrogen receptor-positive, but 0 for androgen receptor-positive, oestrogen receptor-positive and androgen receptor-positive, oestrogen receptor-negative (P = 0.0104). The presence or absence of androgen or oestrogen receptor in the liver, however, was not associated with intrahepatic recurrence (P = 0.7534). Thus, androgen receptors are strongly associated with intrahepatic recurrence of HCC, while oestrogen receptors are weakly associated. Receptor status in the normal liver was not related to intrahepatic recurrence.