Is the vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA expression in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma of prognostic value after resection ?

Table 1 Demographic, clinical and tumor variables of patients with HCC undergoing curative resection (n = 50)

Variables	No. of patients (%)
Age (mean, years)	56.2 ± 13
Male	31 (62)
Cirrhosis	40 (80)
Child- Pugh’s class A	43 (86)
Serum AFP < 20 ng/mL	16 (32)
20-103 ng/mL	18 (36)
> 103 ng/mL	14 (28)
HBsAg (+)	36 (72)
Anti-HCV (+)	13 (26)
Size of HCC < 3 cm	12 (24)
3-10 cm	13 (26)
> 10 cm	25 (50)
Edmondson-Steiner’s Grade I	4 (8)
Grade II	12 (24)
Grade III	18 (36)
Grade IV	16 (32)
Absent or incomplete capsule	31 (62)
Vascular permeation	29 (58)
Daughter nodules	31 (62)
Tumor necrosis	33 (66)
Tumor hemorrhage	29 (58)

AFP: serum alpha fetoprotein, HBsAg (+): positive hepatitis B surface antigen, Anti-HCV(+): positive hepatitis C virus antibody, Edmondson Steiner grade: differentiation grade.