Long term outcome and prognostic factors for large hepatocellular carcinoma (10 cm or more) after surgical resection

TACE vs. TARE for HCC ≥ 8 cm: A propensity score analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) as first-line treatments for unresectable HCC > 8 cm.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 129 HCC patients with tumor diameters greater than 8 cm from January 2010 to December 2021, including 40 patients who received TARE, and 89 patients treated with TACE as primary treatment. Following Propensity Score Matching (PSM), 40 patients from each group were harmonized for baseline characteristics. Tumor responses were evaluated using mRECIST criteria, and survival outcomes were compared between treatment groups using Kaplan-Meier curves and the Log-rank test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) at 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups; ORR and DCR were 72.6%, 83.1% in TACE group vs. 72.5%. 87.5% in TARE group for best tumor response (p-values: 0.625 and 0.981, respectively). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups were comparable pre- and post-PSM. After PSM, the OS was 33.2 months (20.0-58.6) in TACE group and 38.1 months (13.8-98.1) in TARE group (p = 0.53), while PFS was 11.5 months (7.7-18.4) and 9.1 months (5.2-23.8) respectively. After PSM, post-embolization syndrome developed more in TACE group (100% vs. 75%, p = 0.002). Major adverse events were 72% in TACE group vs. 5% in TARE group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TARE and TACE offer comparable efficacy in managing large HCC, with TARE providing a safer profile, suggesting its consideration as a preferable initial therapeutic approach for unresectable HCC patients with tumors larger than 8 cm.

Investigating the Influence of Preoperative Trans Arterial Embolization (TAE) and Predictive Potential of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction

Circulating tumor cells are a promising biomarker in many malignancies. CTC dissemination during the operative procedure can lead to disease recurrence. The effect of preoperative transarterial embolization on the release of CTCs and miRNA panels and oncological outcomes in large hepatocellular carcinomas has been evaluated.

Materials and methods

The study included non-metastatic HCC >5 cm in size, that were completely resected after TAE (n = 10). Blood was collected pre-TAE, post-TAE, postoperative (day 2,30 and 180) and analyzed for the presence of CTC and miRNA (miR-885-5p, miR-22-3p, miR-642b-5p). The samples were subjected to CTC enrichment, isolation and staining using the markers CD45, EpCAM, and cytokeratin (CK). The data was analyzed using Gene Expression Suite software.

Results

The CTC enumeration resulted in three groups: Group 1- CTC present at both pre-TAE and postoperative day 30 (n = 4), Group 2- CTC present at pre-TAE and clearing at postoperative day 30 (n = 2), Group 3- No CTC detected at any stages (n = 3). Group 2 patients had better survival compared with the other groups. Downregulation of miRNA 22-3p also had favorable prognostic implications.

Conclusion

Although preoperative TAE does not seem to impact CTC shedding, CTC clearance may prove to be a valuable biomarker in prognosticating HCC. A larger study to evaluate the significance of CTCs as a prognostic marker is warranted to further evaluate these findings.

Prognostic significance of MRI features in patients with solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma following surgical resection

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic impact of preoperative MRI features on outcomes for single large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≥ 8 cm) after surgical resection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 151 patients (mean age: 59.2 years; 126 men) with a single large HCC who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and surgical resection between 2008 and 2020. Clinical variables, including tumor markers and MRI features (tumor size, tumor margin, and the proportion of hypovascular component on hepatic arterial phase (AP) (≥ 50% vs. < 50% tumor volume) were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards model analyzed overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and associated factors.

RESULTS

Among 151 HCCs, 37.8% and 62.2% HCCs were classified as ≥ 50% and < 50% AP hypovascular groups, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS and RFS rates in all patients were 62.0%, 52.6% and 41.4%, 38.5%, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that ≥ 50% AP hypovascular group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.7, p = 0.048), tumor size (HR 1.1, p = 0.006), and alpha-fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL (HR 2.6, p = 0.001) correlated with poorer OS. ≥ 50% AP hypovascular group (HR 1.9, p = 0.003), tumor size (HR 1.1, p = 0.023), and non-smooth tumor margin (HR 2.1, p = 0.009) were linked to poorer RFS. One-year RFS rates were lower in the ≥ 50% AP hypovascular group than in the < 50% AP hypovascular group (47.4% vs 66.9%, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

MRI with ≥ 50% AP hypovascular component and larger tumor size were significant factors associated with poorer OS and RFS after resection of single large HCC (≥ 8 cm). These patients require careful multidisciplinary management to determine optimal treatment strategies.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Preoperative MRI showing a ≥ 50% arterial phase hypovascular component and larger tumor size can predict worse outcomes after resection of single large hepatocellular carcinomas (≥ 8 cm), underscoring the need for tailored, multidisciplinary treatment strategies.

KEY POINTS

MRI features offer insights into the postoperative prognosis for large hepatocellular carcinoma. Hypovascular component on arterial phase ≥ 50% and tumor size predicted poorer overall survival and recurrence-free survival. These findings can assist in prioritizing aggressive and multidisciplinary approaches for patients at risk for poor outcomes.

Single large hepatocellular carcinoma > 5 cm with surgical indication: is it mandatory a major hepatectomy? a propensity-score weighted analysis

PURPOSE

Single large hepatocellular carcinoma >5cm (SLHCC) traditionally requires a major liver resection. Minor resections are often performed with the goal to reduce morbidity and mortality. Aim of the study was to establish if a major resection should be considered the best treatment for SLHCC or a more limited resection should be preferred.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective analysis of the HE.RC.O.LE.S. Group register was performed. All collected patients with surgically treated SLHCC were divided in 5 groups of treatment (major hepatectomy, sectorectomy, left lateral sectionectomy, segmentectomy, non-anatomical resection) and compared for baseline characteristics, short and long-term results. A propensity-score weighted analysis was performed.

RESULTS

535 patients were enrolled in the study. Major resection was associated with significantly increased major complications compared to left lateral sectionanectomy, segmentectomy and non-anatomical resection (all p<0.05) and borderline significant increased major complications compared to sectorectomy (p=0.08). Left lateral sectionectomy showed better overall survival compared to major resection (p=0.02), while other groups of treatment resulted similar to major hepatectomy group for the same item. Absence of oncological benefit after major resection and similar outcomes among the 5 groups of treatment was confirmed even in the sub-population excluding patients with macrovascular invasion.

CONCLUSION

Major resection was associated to increased major post-operative morbidity without long-term survival benefit; when technically feasible and oncologically adequate, minor resections should be preferred for the surgical treatment of SLHCC.

British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults

Deaths from the majority of cancers are falling globally, but the incidence and mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United Kingdom and in other Western countries. HCC is a highly fatal cancer, often diagnosed late, with an incidence to mortality ratio that approaches 1. Despite there being a number of treatment options, including those associated with good medium to long-term survival, 5-year survival from HCC in the UK remains below 20%. Sex, ethnicity and deprivation are important demographics for the incidence of, and/or survival from, HCC. These clinical practice guidelines will provide evidence-based advice for the assessment and management of patients with HCC. The clinical and scientific data underpinning the recommendations we make are summarised in detail. Much of the content will have broad relevance, but the treatment algorithms are based on therapies that are available in the UK and have regulatory approval for use in the National Health Service.

Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-centre's one decade of experience

Background and aims

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of global cancer deaths, and hepatocellular carcinoma is its most common type. Liver resection is one of the treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to explore our hospital's more than a decade of experience in liver resection for HCC patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study on HCC patients undergoing resection from 2010 to 2021 in a tertiary-level hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mortality rates were explored as the primary outcome of this study. Statistical analysis was done on possible predictive factors using Pearson's χ2. Survival analysis was done using the Log-Rank test and Cox Regression.

Results

Ninety-one patients were included in this study. The authors found that the postoperative mortality rates were 8.8% (in hospital), 11.5% (30 days), and 24.1% (90 days). Excluding postoperative mortalities, the long-term mortality rates were 44.4% (first year), 58.7% (3 years), and 69.7% (5 years). Cumulatively, the mortality rates were 46.4% (1 year), 68.9% (3 years), 77.8% (5 years), and 67.0% (all time). Significant predictive factors for cumulative 1-year mortality include large tumour diameter [odds ratio (OR) 14.06; 95% CI: 2.59-76.35; comparing <3 cm and >10 cm tumours; P<0.01], positive resection margin (OR 2.86; 1.17-77.0; P=0.02), and tumour differentiation (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis found hazard ratios of 6.35 (2.13-18.93; P<0.01) and 1.81 (1.04-3.14; P=0.04) for tumour diameter and resection margin, respectively.

Conclusion

The mortality rate of HCC patients undergoing resection is still very high. Significant predictive factors for mortality found in this study benefit from earlier diagnosis and treatment; thus, highlighting the importance of HCC surveillance programs.

Expanding Indications for Surgical Resection in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What is the Evidence?

Hepatic resection is one of the mainstays of curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The appropriate selection of resectable candidates requires careful consideration of a multitude of factors including tumor burden (size and number of nodules, presence of vascular involvement, extrahepatic spread), patient factors (performance status, underlying liver function), and availability of other therapies (access to transplantation, interventional procedures, immunotherapies). Historically, hepatic resection for HCC has been reserved for patients with solitary tumors without vascular invasion. However, in well-selected patients HCC tumors multifocal in nature or with vascular invasion should be considered for hepatic resection.

A simple preoperative model to predict overall survival of patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma ≥10 cm

BACKGROUND

Studies have rarely reported on preoperative predictors of prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection (LR) for HCC ≥10 cm. We developed a simple model to predict overall survival (OS) of these patients.

METHODS

We enrolled 305 patients with HCC ≥10 cm undergoing LR. Cirrhosis and imaging-defined AJCC stage were used to develop a preoperative model. Patients were divided into three groups based on the Kaplan-Meier estimator.

RESULTS

Group 1 included patients with AJCC stage 1 and no cirrhosis (n = 86), group 2 those with AJCC stage 1 and cirrhosis plus those with AJCC stage 2 or 3 and no cirrhosis (n = 166), and group 3 those with AJCC stage 2 or 3 and cirrhosis (n = 51). The five-year OS of group 1, 2, and 3 was 55%, 32%, and 25%, respectively (p < 0.001). With group 1 as the reference, multivariate analysis of OS showed that group 2 (HR = 2.043; 95% CI = 1.332-3.134; p = 0.001) and group 3 (HR = 2.740; 95% CI = 1.645-4.564; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of OS.

CONCLUSION

We developed a simple model to predict OS of patients undergoing LR for HCC ≥10 cm.

Incomplete radiofrequency ablation following transarterial chemoembolization accelerates the progression of large hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

To examine post-operative progression and risk impact of insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the prognosis of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods

From January 2014 to January 2021 were analyzed. A total of 343 patients with large HCC (diameter >5 cm) who received TACE combined with RFA were enrolled and were divided into two groups: complete ablation (CA, n = 172) and insufficient ablation (IA, n = 171). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared with the log-rank test. To find parameters influencing OS and PFS, clinicopathological variables underwent univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and PFS rates of the CA group were significantly higher than that of the IA group (P < 0.001). 25 (41%) patients in local tumor progression (LTP), 36 (59%) in intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), and 0 (0%) in extrahepatic distant recurrence (EDR) in the CA group. 51 (32.1%) patients in LTP, 96 (60.4%) patients in IDR, and 12 (7.5%) cases in EDR in the IA group. The recurrence patterns of the two groups were statistically significant difference (P = 0.039). In multivariate analysis, inadequate ablation and conjunction with TKIs were both significant risk factors for OS and PFS. Apart from these, older age and >7 cm of tumor size were indicators of poor OS and multiple tumors were indicators of poor PFS.

Conclusion

Insufficient ablation causes a poor survival outcome of TACE combined with RFA for large HCC, particularly, which can promote IDR.

Surgical resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma and those beyond BCLC: systematic review with proposed management algorithm

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the sixth most common cancer and ranks third in mortality worldwide with inhomogeneity in terms of resection for advanced-stage disease.

METHODS

A systematic review of published literature using the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases from 1995 to 2020 was conducted to identify studies that reported outcomes of resection for solitary HCC > 10 cm, BCLC B/C, and multinodular HCC. Our aim was to assess overall survival for resection, identify poor prognostic factors, and to compare it to trans-arterial chemotherapy (TACE) where data was available.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine articles were included after a complete database search in the systematic review as per our predefined criteria. Analysis revealed a 5-year overall survival of 33.5% for resection of HCC > 10 cm, 41.7% for BCLC B, 23.3% for BCLC C, and 36.6% for multinodular HCC. Peri-operative mortality ranged from 0 to 6.9%. Studies comparing resection versus TACE for BCLC B/C had a survival of 40% versus 17%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review justifies hepatic resection wherever feasible for hepatocellular carcinomas > 10 cm, BCLC B, BCLC C, and multinodular tumors. In addition, we identified and proposed an algorithm with five poor prognostic criteria in this group of patients who may benefit from adjuvant TACE.

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network hepatocellular carcinoma classification: Alignment with Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System, current gaps, and future direction

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) updated its allocation policy for liver transplantation to align with the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). LI-RADS computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging algorithm had achieved congruency with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) HCC Practice Guidance in 2018, and therefore, alignment of OPTN, LI-RADS, and AASLD unifies HCC diagnostic approaches. The two changes to the OPTN HCC classification are adoption of LI-RADS terminology or lexicon for HCC major imaging features as well as the modification of OPTN Class-5A through the adoption of LI-RADS-5 criteria. However, despite this significant milestone, the OPTN allocation policy may benefit from further refinements such as adoption of treatment response assessment criteria after locoregional therapy and categorization criteria for lesions with atypical imaging appearances that are not specific for HCC. In this review, we detail the changes to the OPTN HCC classification to achieve alignment with LI-RADS, discuss current limitations of the OPTN classification, and explore future directions.

Salvage locoregional therapies for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the advent of screening efforts and algorithms to stratify patients into appropriate treatment strategies, recurrence rates remain high. In contrast to first-line treatment for HCC, which relies on several factors, including clinical staging, tumor burden, and liver function, there is no consensus or general treatment recommendations for recurrent HCC (R-HCC). Locoregional therapies include a spectrum of minimally invasive liver-directed treatments which can be used as either curative or neoadjuvant therapy for HCC. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of recent evidence using salvage loco-regional therapies for R-HCC after failed curative-intent.

Prognostic Analysis of Single Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Radical Resection: A Single-Center Study

Objective

To investigate the survival and independent prognostic factors for single large hepatocellular carcinoma (SLHCC) after surgical resection.

Methods

Patients with SLHCC who underwent radical resection from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) rate and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates. Cox forward stepwise regression was performed to analyze the independent prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 485 cases were included. The average age was 51.2±11.2 years, 88.9% had a history of hepatitis B virus infection, and most patients had normal liver function. The average tumor diameter was 8.8±3.0 cm. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and RFS rates were 76.8%, 56.7%, and 45.7%, and 61.0%, 46.2%, and 34.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that liver cirrhosis (HR=1.456, P=0.004), total bilirubin (TB) ≥17.1 μmol/L (HR=1.437, P=0.011), glutamyl transferase (GGT) >60 U/L (HR=1.438, P=0.020), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >225 U/L (HR=1.442, P=0.007), blood loss ≥400 mL (HR=1.339, P=0.027), microvascular invasion (MVI) (HR=1.492, P=0.004), satellite lesions (HR=1.859, P<0.0001) and Edmondson-Steiner grade III+IV (HR=1.740, P=0.018) were independent risk factors for reduced OS in SLHCC patients. Sex (HR=1.763, P=0.003), liver cirrhosis (HR=1.382, P=0.007), GGT >60 U/L (HR=1.512, P=0.003), LDH >225 U/L (HR=1.480, P=0.002), MVI (HR=1.545, P=0.001), and satellite lesions (HR=1.564, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for reduced RFS. OS and RFS nomograms were constructed using risk factors with C-index values of 0.692 (95% CI: 0.659-0.724) and 0.659 (95% CI: 0.623-0.693), respectively. The Hosmer-Leme test demonstrated the good fit of both nomograms.

Conclusion

Surgical resection is the standard and effective treatment for SLHCC patients. Sex, liver cirrhosis, TB≥17.1 μmol/L, GGT>60 U/L, LDH>225 U/L, blood loss≥400 mL, MVI, Edmondson-Steiner grade III+IV, and satellite lesions were found to be independent prognostic factors in SLHCC patients following radical resection. The OS and RFS nomograms accurately predicted the prognosis of SLHCC patients.

Fibrosis-4 index, a predictor for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative hepatectomy even in hepatitis B virus dominant populations

Purpose

Liver fibrosis plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and determining its prognosis. Although many staging systems and liver reserve models have been developed without the intention of predicting prognosis of HCC, some studies have investigated their prognostic values in HCC after curative liver resection (LR). The aim of this study is to evaluate prognostic value of non-invasive biomarkers after curative LR.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2013, HCC patients underwent LR were included and total 962 patients were enrolled. All non-invasive biomarkers (fibrosis 4 index (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR), AAR-to-platelet ratio index (AARPRI), and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score) were measured at the time of HCC diagnosis. To binarize each biomarker, an optimal cut-off value for fibrosis stage was selected using the value of minimum distance from the left-upper corner of the receiver operating characteristic curve with a specificity >60%. We performed Cox regression analysis on 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The area under curve values for FIB-4 and APRI were the largest for fibrosis stage compared to other biomarkers, 0.669 (95% confidential interval (CI), 0.610-0.719) and 0.748 (95% CI, 0.692-0.800), respectively. Between those two indices, FIB-4 is considered a statistically significant prognostic factor of RFS in HCC patients after LR. The HR for 2-year RFS and OS were 1.81 (95% CI, 1.18-2.77; P = 0.007) and 2.36 (95% CI, 0.99-5.65; P = 0.054), respectively.

Conclusion

FIB-4 is identified as a statistically significant predictor of HCC prognosis after curative LR even in HBV dominant populations.

Preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and prognosis of patients with solitary large hepatocellular carcinomas (≥5 cm): Multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Large hepatocellular carcinoma (LHCC) is prone to short-term recurrence and poor long-term survival after hepatectomy, and there is still a lack of effective neoadjuvant treatments to improve recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in solitary LHCC (≥5 cm).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multicenter medical database was used to analyze preoperative TACE's effects on RFS, OS, and perioperative complications in patients with solitary LHCC who received surgical treatment from January 2005 to December 2015. The patients were divided into Group A (5.0-9.9 cm) and Group B (≥10 cm), with 10 cm as the critical value, and the effect of preoperative TACE on RFS, OS and perioperative complications was assessed in each subgroup.

RESULTS

In the overall population, patients with preoperative TACE had better RFS and OS than those without preoperative TACE. However, after stratifying the patients into the two HCC groups, preoperative TACE only improved the survival outcomes of patients with Group B (≥10 cm). Multivariate Cox-regression analysis showed that lack of preoperative TACE was an independent risk factor for RFS and OS in the overall population and in Group B but not in Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative TACE is beneficial for patients with solitary HCC (≥10 cm).

Surgical Resection Is Superior to TACE in the Treatment of HCC in a Well Selected Cohort of BCLC-B Elderly Patients-A Retrospective Observational Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually develops in cirrhotic liver, with high recurrence rates. However, considering its increasing detection in non-cirrhotic liver, the choice of treatment assumes particular relevance. This study aimed to investigate outcomes of patients among BCLC stages and enrolled for surgical resection (SR) according to a more complex evaluation, to establish its safety and efficacy. A total of 186 selected HCC patients (median age 73.2 yrs), submitted to SR between January 2005 and January 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Of which, 166 were staged 0, A, B according to the BCLC system, while 20 with a single large tumor (>5 cm) were classified as stage AB. No perioperative mortality was recorded; complications occurred in 48 (25.80%) patients, and all but two were Clavien−Dindo grade I−II. Median follow-up was 9.2 years. Subsequently, 162 recurrent patients (87,1%) were selected for new treatments. Comparable overall survival rates (OS) were observed at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years in 0, A, B and AB stages (p = 0.2). Eventually, the BCLC-B group was matched to 40 BCLC-B patients treated (2015-2021) with TACE. Significant differences in baseline characteristics (p <0.0001) and in OS were observed at 1 and 3 years (p <0.0001); a significant difference was also observed in oncological outcomes, in terms of the absence, residual, or relapse of disease (p <0.05). Surgery might be a valid treatment in HCC for patients affected by chronic liver disease in a condition of compensation, up to BCLC-B stage. Surgical indication for liver resection in case of HCC should be extensively revised.

CT volumetry helps predict prognosis of large hepatocellular carcinoma after resection

AIM

To determine whether the tumour volume measurement on preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) could be used to predict the overall survival patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (>5 cm) after resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 171 patients with surgically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent preoperative CT. The largest diameter, the product of the axial dimension, tumour volume, and tumour-to-liver volume ratio (TTLVR) on CT images were measured and calculated. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratio regression models were used to identify the impact of the tumour burden-related risk factors on overall survival.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, TTLVR (p=0.042) and major vascular invasion (p=0.006) were independently associated with overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after the resection. The group in which the patients had a low TTLVR showed higher cumulative survival rates than patients with a TTLVR (p=0.004). Patients with a low TTLVR (≤26.23%) and absence of major vascular invasion had significantly higher cumulative survival rates compared to those patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with either or both the risk factors (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

A higher TTLVR in combination with the presence of major vascular invasion was associated with poorer overall survival in patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma after resection.

A preoperative nomogram for predicting long-term survival after resection of large hepatocellular carcinoma (>10 cm)

BACKGROUND

It has previously been demonstrated that a fraction of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) > 10 cm can benefit from liver resection. However, there is still a lack of effective decision-making tools to inform intervention in these patients.

METHODS

We analysed a comprehensive set of clinical data from 234 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC >10 cm at the National Cancer Institute of Peru between 1990 and 2015, monitored their survival, and constructed a nomogram to predict the surgical outcome based on preoperative variables.

RESULTS

We identified cirrhosis, multifocality, macroscopic vascular invasion, and spontaneous tumour rupture as independent predictors of survival and integrated them into a nomogram model. The nomogram's ability to forecast survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was subsequently confirmed with high concordance using an internal validation. Through applying this nomogram, we stratified three groups of patients with different survival probabilities.

CONCLUSION

We constructed a preoperative nomogram to predict long-term survival in patients with HCC >10 cm. This nomogram is useful in determining whether a patient with large HCC might truly benefit from liver resection, which is paramount in low- and middle-income countries where HCC is often diagnosed at advanced stages.

CT radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of severe post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with huge (≥ 10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

This study aimed to establish a radiomics-based nomogram for predicting severe (grade B or C) post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with huge (≥ 10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

One hundred eighty-six patients with huge HCC (training dataset, n = 131 and test dataset, n = 55) that underwent curative hepatic resection were included in this study. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approach was applied to develop a radiomics signature for grade B or C PHLF prediction using the training dataset. A multivariable logistic regression model was used by incorporating radiomics signature and other clinical predictors to establish a radiomics nomogram. Decision tree analysis was performed to stratify the risk for severe PHLF.

Results

The radiomics signature consisting of nine features predicted severe PHLF with AUCs of 0.766 and 0.745 for the training and test datasets. The radiomics nomogram was generated by integrating the radiomics signature, the extent of resection and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The nomogram exhibited satisfactory discrimination ability, with AUCs of 0.842 and 0.863 for the training and test datasets, respectively. Based on decision tree analysis, patients were divided into three risk classes: low-risk patients with radiomics score < -0.247 and MELD score < 10 or radiomics score ≥ − 0.247 but underwent partial resections; intermediate-risk patients with radiomics score < − 0.247 but MELD score ≥10; high-risk patients with radiomics score ≥ − 0.247 and underwent extended resections.

Conclusions

The radiomics nomogram could predict severe PHLF in huge HCC patients. A decision tree may be useful in surgical decision-making for huge HCC hepatectomy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02459-0.

Comparison Between Portal Vein Perfusion Chemotherapy and Neoadjuvant Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Resectable Intermediate to Advanced Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Patients with intermediate to advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage B/C) have few choices of curable treatments and thus suffer from dismal outcomes. Although surgical resection could prolong survival in certain selected patients with BCLC stage B/C HCC, the frequent postoperative recurrence and poor survival of these patients need to be improved by combining other therapies perioperatively.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate the survival associations of adjuvant portal vein perfusion chemotherapy (PVC) and neoadjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with resectable BCLC stage B/C HCC.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in consecutive patients who underwent R0 resection for intermediate to advanced stage HCC, combined with either PVC or HAIC perioperatively between January 2017 and December 2018. Patients treated with PVC or HAIC were analyzed according to intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) principles, respectively. The chemotherapy regimen of adjuvant PVC and neoadjuvant HAIC included 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin. Survival analysis and Cox regression for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were used to compare the outcomes.

RESULTS

Among all 64 patients enrolled in this study, 28 received perioperative PVC and 36 received HAIC for ITT analysis. Age (median 44.00 vs. 46.50 years; p = 0.364), sex (male: 25/28 vs. 35/36; p = 0.435), and tumor size (median 9.55 vs. 8.10 cm; p = 0.178) were comparable between the two groups. In the ITT analysis, the median OS was significantly longer in patients in the HAIC group compared with the PVC group (median OS not reached vs. 19.47 months; p = 0.004); in the PP analysis, patients who received neoadjuvant HAIC followed by hepatectomy presented with much better EFS than patients in the PVC group (modified EFS 16.90 vs. 3.17 months; p = 0.022); and in the multivariate analysis, neoadjuvant HAIC presented as a significant predictor for enhanced EFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.296; p = 0.007) and OS (HR 0.095; p = 0.007) for BCLC stage B/C HCC patients who received hepatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with adjuvant PVC, neoadjuvant HAIC treatment was associated with better survival and fewer recurrences in HCC patients who received R0 resection at the intermediate to advanced stage. These results need to be further validated prospectively.

Tumor size may influence the prognosis of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis and without macrovascular invasion after hepatectomy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually associated with varying degrees of cirrhosis. Among cirrhotic patients with solitary HCC in the absence of macro-vascular invasion, whether tumor size drives prognosis or not after hepatectomy remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of tumor size on long-term outcomes after hepatectomy for solitary HCC patients with cirrhosis and without macrovascular invasion. A total of 813 cirrhotic patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for solitary HCC and without macrovascular invasion between 2001 and 2014 were retrospectively studied. We set 5 cm as the tumor cut-off value. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize the influence of potential confounders including cirrhotic severity that was histologically assessed according to the Laennec staging system. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups before and after PSM. Overall, 464 patients had tumor size ≤ 5 cm, and 349 had tumor size > 5 cm. The 5-year RFS and OS rates were 38.3% and 61.5% in the  ≤ 5 cm group, compared with 25.1% and 59.9% in the > 5 cm group. Long-term survival outcomes were significantly worse as tumor size increased. Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size > 5 cm was an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence and long-term survival. These results were further confirmed in the PSM cohort of 235 pairs of patients. In cirrhotic patients with solitary HCC and without macrovascular invasion, tumor size may significantly affect the prognosis after curative hepatectomy.

Prediction of Patient Survival Following Hepatic Resection in Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Indexed Ratios of Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelets: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

To predict patient survival in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatic resection. We evaluated the prognostic potential of the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) in order to use it to model a nomogram.

Patients and Methods

We randomized 901 early-stage HCC patients treated with hepatic resection at our center into training and validation cohorts that were followed from January 2009 to December 2012. X-tile software was used to establish the APRI cut-off threshold in the training cohort. The validation cohort was subsequently assessed to determine threshold value accuracy. Data generated from the multivariate analysis in the training cohort were used to design a prognostic nomogram. Decision curve analyses (DCA), concordance index values (C-index) and calibration curves were used to determine the performance of the nomogram.

Results

X-tile software revealed that the optimal APRI cut-off threshold in the training cohort that distinguished between patients with different prognoses was 0.9. We, therefore, validated its prognostic value. Multivariate analyses showed that poor overall survival was associated with APRI above 0.9, blood loss of more than 400 mL, liver cirrhosis, multiple tumors, tumor size greater than 5 cm, microvascular invasion and satellite lesions. When the independent risk factors were integrated into the prognostic nomogram, it performed well with accurate predictions. Indeed, the performance was better than comparative prognosticators (P<0.05 for all) with 0.752 as the C-index (95% CI: 0.706–0.798). These results were verified by the validation cohort.

Conclusion

APRI was a noninvasive and accurate predictive indicator for patients with early-stage HCC. Following hepatic resection to treat early-stage HCC, individualized patient survival predictions can be aided by the nomogram based on APRI.

Development and validation of a novel nomogram predicting 10-year actual survival after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Although hepatectomy is a curative treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the associated 10-year long-term actual survival are rarely reported. This study aims to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for 10-year actual survivors with HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2004 to 2009, 753 patients with curative hepatectomy for HCC (development set, n = 325; validation set, n = 428) were included. In development set, comparison of clinic-pathological data was made between patients surviving ≥10 years and those surviving <10 years. Good independent prognostic factors identified by multivariate analysis were involved in a nomogram development, which was validated internally and externally using validation set.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, five independent good prognostic factors for 10-year survival were identified, including young age (OR = 0.943), good ASA status (≤2) (OR = 2.794), higher albumin level (OR = 1.116), solitary tumor (OR = 2.531) and absence of microvascular invasion (OR = 3.367). A novel nomogram was constructed with C-index of 0.801 (95% CI 0.762-0.864). A cut-off point of 167.5 had a sensitivity of 0.794 and specificity of 0.730. Internal validation using bootstrap sampling and external validation using validation set revealed C-index of 0.792 (95% CI, 0.741-0.853) and 0.761 (95% CI, 0.718-0.817).

CONCLUSION

A novel nomogram for 10-year HCC survivor using age, ASA status, preoperative albumin, tumor number and presence of microvascular tumor invasion was developed and validated with high accuracy.

Overall Tumor Burden Dictates Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Resection of Multinodular Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond the Milan Criteria

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the current study was to define surgical outcomes after resection of multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Milan criteria, and develop a prediction tool to identify which patients likely benefit the most from resection.

BACKGROUND

Liver resection for multinodular HCC, especially beyond the Milan criteria, remains controversial. Rigorous selection of the best candidates for resection is essential to achieve optimal outcomes after liver resection of advanced tumors.

METHODS

Patients who underwent resection for HCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Patients were categorized according to Milan criteria status. Pre- and postoperative overall survival (OS) prediction models that included HCC tumor burden score (TBS) among patients with multinodular HCC beyond Milan criteria were developed and validated.

RESULTS

Among 1037 patients who underwent resection for HCC, 164 (15.8%) had multinodular HCC beyond the Milan criteria. Among patients with multinodular HCC, 25 (15.2%) patients experienced a serious complication and 90-day mortality was 3.7% (n = 6). Five-year OS after resection of multinodular HCC beyond Milan criteria was 52.8%. A preoperative TBS-based model (5-year OS: low-risk, 73.7% vs intermediate-risk, 45.1% vs high-risk, 13.1%), and postoperative TBS-based model (5-year OS: low-risk, 80.1% vs intermediate-risk, 37.2% vs high-risk, not reached) categorized patients into distinct prognostic groups relative to long-term prognosis (both P < 0.001). Pre- and postoperative models could accurately stratify OS in an external validation cohort (5-year OS; low vs medium vs high risk; pre: 66.3% vs 25.2% vs not reached, P = 0.012; post: 61.4% vs 42.5% vs not reached, P = 0.045) Predictive accuracy of the pre- and postoperative models was good in the training (c-index; pre: 0.68; post: 0.71), internal validation (n = 2000 resamples) (c-index, pre: 0.70; post: 0.72) and external validation (c-index, pre: 0.67; post 0.68) datasets. TBS alone could stratify patients relative to 5-year OS after resection of multinodular HCC beyond Milan criteria (c-index: 0.65; 5-year OS; low TBS: 70.2% vs medium TBS: 54.7% vs high TBS: 16.7%; P < 0.001). The vast majority of patients with low and intermediate TBS were deemed low or medium risk based on both the preoperative (98.4%) and postoperative risk scores (95.3%).

CONCLUSION

Prognosis of patients with multinodular HCC was largely dependent on overall tumor burden. Liver resection should be considered among patients with multinodular HCC beyond the Milan criteria who have a low- or intermediate-TBS.

A novel signature based on microvascular invasion predicts the recurrence of HCC

Background and objectives

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, microvascular invasion (MVI) is associated with worse outcomes regardless of treatment. No single reliable preoperative factor exists to predict MVI. The aim of the work described here was to develop a new MVI− based mRNA biomarker to differentiate between high and low risk patients.

Methods

Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we collected data from 315 HCC patients, including mRNA expression and complete clinical data. We generated a seven-mRNA signature to predict patient outcomes. The mRNA signature was validated using the GSE36376 cohort. Finally, we tested the formula in our own 53 HCC patients using qPCR for the seven mRNAs and analyzing the computed tomography (CT) features.

Results

This seven‐mRNA signature significantly correlated with length of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) for both the training and validation groups. RFS and OS were briefer in high risk versus low risk patients. A Kaplan–Meier analysis also indicated that survival time was significantly shortened in the high risk group versus the low risk group. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated good predictive performance for the seven-mRNA signature. The mRNA signature also acts as an independent factor according to a Multivariate analysis. Our results are consistent with the seven-mRNA formula risk score.

Conclusion

Our research showed a novel seven-mRNA biomarker based on MVI predicting RFS and OS in HCC patients. This mRNA signature can stratify patients into subgroups based on their risk of recurrence to help guide individualized treatment and precision management in HCC.

Recurrence Patterns and Outcomes after Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma within and beyond the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Criteria

BACKGROUND

Several investigators have advocated for extending the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) resection criteria to select patients with BCLC-B and even BCLC-C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the current study was to define the outcomes and recurrence patterns after resection within and beyond the current resection criteria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent resection for HCC within (i.e., BCLC 0/A) and beyond (i.e. BCLC B/C) the current resection criteria between 2005 and 2017 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), as well as patterns of recurrence of patients undergoing HCC resection within and beyond the BCLC guidelines were examined.

RESULTS

Among 756 patients, 602 (79.6%) patients were BCLC 0/A and 154 (20.4%) were BCLC B/C. Recurrences were mostly intrahepatic (within BCLC: 74.3% versus beyond BCLC: 70.8%, p = 0.80), with BCLC B/C patients more often having multiple tumors at relapse (69.6% versus 49.4%, p = 0.001) and higher rates of early (< 2 years) recurrence (88.0% versus 75.5%, p = 0.011). During the first postoperative year, annual recurrence was 38.3% and 21.3% among BCLC B/C and BCLC 0/A patients, respectively; 5-year OS among BCLC 0/A and BCLC B/C patients was 76.9% versus 51.6% (p = 0.003). On multivariable analysis, only a-fetoprotein (AFP) > 400 ng/mL (HR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.07-3.15) and R1 resection (HR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.32-4.23) were associated with higher risk of recurrence among BCLC B/C patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery can provide acceptable outcomes among select patients with BCLC B/C HCC. The data emphasize the need to further refine the BCLC treatment algorithm as well as highlight the need for surveillance protocols with a particular focus on the liver, especially for patients undergoing resection outside the BCLC criteria.

Progress in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and peri-operation management

The global incidence of liver cancer continues to grow. Liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, has high recurrence and mortality rates. Here, we review the past decade's diagnostic, therapeutic, and management strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma, and summarize new patient management approaches, including enhanced recovery after surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. We compare traditional and innovative management methods, which comprise developments in precision medicine, and consider their limitations. Ongoing innovation and technological advances enable surgeons to gain deeper understandings of the multidimensionality of hepatocellular carcinoma, thereby promoting the continuous development of precision therapy.

Nomograms to predict the long-time prognosis in patients with alpha-fetoprotein negative hepatocellular carcinoma following radical resection

Background

To develop and validate nomograms that can be used to predict outcomes in individuals suffering alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical resection.

Methods

A total of 509 AFP‐negative HCC patients who received hepatectomy between January 2009 and March 2013 in our center were randomized into training and validation cohorts. Nomograms for both overall and recurrence‐free survival (OS and RFS, respectively) were established based on the predictors in the training cohort. Nomograms performance and discriminative power were assessed with concordance index (C‐index) values and decision curve analyses (DCA). The results were validated in the validation cohort.

Results

Alkaline phosphatase, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, satellite lesions, microvascular invasion, and Edmondson‐Steiner grade were significantly linked to OS and RFS. Sex and tumor number were additional predictors for RFS. The OS nomogram had a C‐index value of 0.742, which was better than that for the AJCC eighth edition (0.632), BCLC system (0.553), and JIS score (0.557) (all P < .001). The RFS nomogram C‐index was 0.669, which was also superior to that of the AJCC eighth (0.608), BCLC stage (0.554), JIS score (0.551), and model of Gan et al (0.636) (P < .05 for all). Calibration curves indicated a good agreement between observed actual outcomes and predicted values. Kaplan‐Meier curves and DCA indicated that nomograms were powerful in discrimination and clinical usefulness. These results were supported by the validation cohort.

Conclusions

These nomograms presented more accurate prognostic prediction in patients with AFP‐negative HCC after hepatectomy.

Classification and Prognosis Prediction from Histopathological Images of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by a Fully Automated Pipeline Based on Machine Learning

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop quantitative feature-based models from histopathological images to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from adjacent normal tissue and predict the prognosis of HCC patients after surgical resection.

METHODS

A fully automated pipeline was constructed using computational approaches to analyze the quantitative features of histopathological slides of HCC patients, in which the features were extracted from the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained whole-slide images of HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and tissue microarray images from West China Hospital. The extracted features were used to train the statistical models that classify tissue slides and predict patients' survival outcomes by machine-learning methods.

RESULTS

A total of 1733 quantitative image features were extracted from each histopathological slide. The diagnostic classifier based on 31 features was able to successfully distinguish HCC from adjacent normal tissues in both the test [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.988] and external validation sets (AUC 0.886). The random-forest prognostic model using 46 features was able to significantly stratify patients in each set into longer- or shorter-term survival groups according to their assigned risk scores. Moreover, the prognostic model we constructed showed comparable predicting accuracy as TNM staging systems in predicting patients' survival at different time points after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that machine-learning models derived from image features can assist clinicians in HCC diagnosis and its prognosis prediction after hepatectomy.

Preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for surgical resection of huge hepatocellular carcinoma (≥ 10 cm): a multicenter propensity matching analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is potentially curative, but long-term survival remains unsatisfactory. There is currently no effective neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy for HCC. We sought to evaluate the impact of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on long-term prognosis after surgical resection of huge HCCs (≥ 10 cm).

METHODS

Using a multicenter database, consecutive patients who underwent curative-intent resection for huge HCC without macrovascular invasion between 2004 and 2014 were identified. The association between preoperative TACE with perioperative outcomes, long-term overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was assessed before and after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Among the 377 enrolled patients, 88 patients (23.3%) received preoperative TACE. The incidence of perioperative mortality and morbidity was comparable among patients who did and did not undergo preoperative TACE (3.4% vs. 2.4%, p= 0.704, and 33.0% vs. 31.1%, p= 0.749, respectively). PSM analysis created 84 matched pairs of patients. In examining the entire cohort as well as the PSM cohort, median OS (overall cohort: 32.8 vs. 22.3 months, p= 0.035, and PSM only: 32.8 vs. 18.1 months, p= 0.023, respectively) and RFS (12.9 vs. 6.4 months, p= 0.016, and 12.9 vs. 4.1 months, p= 0.009, respectively) were better among patients who underwent preoperative TACE vs. patients who did not. After adjustment for other confounding factors on multivariable analyses, preoperative TACE remained independently associated with a favorable OS and RFS after the resection of huge HCC.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative TACE did not increase perioperative morbidity or mortality, yet was associated with an improved OS and RFS after liver resection of huge HCC (≥ 10 cm).

Prognosis After Resection of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage 0, A, and B Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Assessment of the Current BCLC Classification

BACKGROUND

Although the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system has been largely adopted in clinical practice, recent studies have questioned the prognostic stratification of this classification schema, as well as the proposed treatment allocation of patients with a single large tumor.

METHODS

Patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for histologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between 1998 and 2017 were identified using an international multi-institutional database. Overall survival (OS) among patients with BCLC stage 0, A, and B was examined. Patients with a single large tumor were classified as BCLC stage A1 and were independently assessed.

RESULTS

Among 814 patients, 68 (8.4%) were BCLC-0, 310 (38.1%) were BCLC-A, 279 (34.3%) were BCLC-A1, and 157 (19.3%) were BCLC-B. Five-year OS among patients with BCLC stage 0, A, A1, and B HCC was 86.2%, 69.0%, 56.9%, and 49.9%, respectively (p < 0.001). Among patients with very early- and early-stage HCC (BCLC 0, A, and A1), patients with BCLC stage A1 had the worst OS (p = 0.0016). No difference in survival was noted among patients undergoing surgery for BCLC stage A1 and B HCC (5-year OS: 56.9% vs. 49.9%; p = 0.259) even after adjusting for competing factors (hazard ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.54-1.28; p = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

Prognosis following liver resection among patients with BCLC-A1 HCC was similar to patients presenting with BCLC-B tumors. Surgery provided acceptable long-term outcomes among select patients with BCLC-B HCC. Designation into BCLC stage B should not be considered an a priori contraindication to surgery.

Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcomes of Surgical Resection of Huge Hepatocellular Carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to analyze the various prognostic factors that influence survival and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing liver resection for huge hepatocellular carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of patients who underwent curative surgery between 1991 and 2011 for huge hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed. Various prognostic factors that influenced the survival were studied. The patients were followed up till November 2016.

RESULTS

The number of patients who underwent liver resection with huge hepatocellular carcinoma during the study period was 17; this included 14 males and 3 females. The median age of the study population was 52 years. The median serum AFP in the study population was 132.3 ng/ml (range 2 to 187,000 ng/ml). 41.2% of the patients were hepatitis B positive. The overall morbidity was 6%. The mortality rate was nil. The mean size of the resected specimen was 13.9 cm ± 3.6 cm. The overall recurrence rate was 76.5%. The local recurrence rate was 29.4%. The median time to recurrence was 8 months. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival of the study group were 26% and 32%, respectively. The factors that predicted an adverse survival outcome after the log-rank test for univariate analysis using life-table method were presence of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.047), age ≤ 55 years (p = 0.021), and raised serum AFP (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

The factors that predict an adverse outcome after surgery in patients with huge hepatocellular carcinomas were the presence of lymphovascular invasion, raised serum AFP, and age ≤ 55 years.

Proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Current knowledges and future perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, as few patients can be treated with currently available curative local modalities. In patients with HCC where curative modalities are not feasible, radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as an alternative or combination therapy. With the development of various technologies, RT has been increasingly used for the management of HCC. Among these advances, proton beam therapy (PBT) has several unique physical properties that give it a finite range in a distal direction, and thus no exit dose along the beam path. Therefore, PBT has dosimetric advantages compared with X-ray therapy for the treatment of HCC. Indeed, various reports in the literature have described the favorable clinical outcomes and improved safety of PBT for HCC patients compared with X-ray therapy. However, there are some technical issues regarding the use of PBT in HCC, including uncertainty of organ motion and inaccuracy during calculation of tissue density and beam range, all of which may reduce the robustness of a PBT treatment plan. In this review, we discuss the physical properties, current clinical data, technical issues, and future perspectives on PBT for the treatment of HCC.

Systematic review of the outcomes of surgical resection for intermediate and advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A critical appraisal of the evidence

AIM

To perform a systematic review to determine the survival outcomes after curative resection of intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

METHODS

A systematic review of the published literature was performed using the PubMed database from 1^st January 1999 to 31^st Dec 2014 to identify studies that reported outcomes of liver resection as the primary curative treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B or C HCC. The primary end point was to determine the overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) of liver resection of HCC in BCLC stage B or C in patients with adequate liver reserve (i.e., Child’s A or B status). The secondary end points were to assess the morbidity and mortality of liver resection in large HCC (defined as lesions larger than 10 cm in diameter) and to compare the OS and DFS after surgical resection of solitary vs multifocal HCC.

RESULTS

We identified 74 articles which met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this systematic review. Analysis of the resection outcomes of the included studies were grouped according to (1) BCLC stage B or C HCC, (2) Size of HCC and (3) multifocal tumors. The median 5-year OS of BCLC stage B was 38.7% (range 10.0-57.0); while the median 5-year OS of BCLC stage C was 20.0% (range 0.0-42.0). The collective median 5-year OS of both stages was 27.9% (0.0-57.0). In examining the morbidity and mortality following liver resection in large HCC, the pooled RR for morbidity [RR (95%CI) = 1.00 (0.76-1.31)] and mortality [RR (95%CI) = 1.15 (0.73-1.80)] were not significant. Within the spectrum of BCLC B and C lesions, tumors greater than 10 cm were reported to have median 5-year OS of 33.0% and multifocal lesions 54.0%.

CONCLUSION

Indication for surgical resection should be extended to BCLC stage B lesions in selected patients. Further studies are needed to stratify stage C lesions for resection.

Nomograms to Predict the Individual Survival of Patients with Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy

Background/Aims

Solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a subgroup of HCCs. We aimed to establish nomograms for predicting the survival of solitary HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Methods

A total of 538 solitary HCC patients were randomly classified into training and validation sets. A Cox model was used to identify predictors of overall survival (OS) in the training set. A nomogram was generated based on these predictors and was validated using the validation set.

Results

Tumor size, microvascular invasion, and major vascular invasion were significantly associated with OS in the training set. Nomograms were developed based on these predictors in the multivariate analysis. The C-index was 0.75 for the OS nomogram and 0.72 for the recurrence-free survival nomogram. Compared to the index of conventional staging systems for predicting survival (0.71 for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, 0.66 for the seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer, 0.68 for Cancer of the Liver Italian Program, and 0.70 for Hong Kong Liver Cancer), the index of the OS nomogram was significantly higher. Moreover, the calibration curve fitted well between the predicted and observed survival rate. Similarly, in the validation set, the nomogram discrimination was superior to those of the four staging systems (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The nomograms demonstrated good discrimination performance in predicting 3- and 5-year survival rates for solitary HCCs after hepatectomy.

Pilot Study of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Huge Hepatocellular Carcinoma Unsuitable for Other Therapies

Aims

To determine the feasibility and efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for huge hepatocellular carcinoma unsuitable for other therapies.

Methods

Six patients with very large hepatocellular carcinomas (>10 cm) unsuitable for surgical resection or that failed to respond to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) were treated by SBRT. Doses ranged from 32 Gy to 40 Gy in four fractions. Survival, response, and toxicities were evaluated.

Results

After a median follow-up of 25.9 months (range 8.1-56 months), three patients had died and three were alive. Overall, treatment was well tolerated and no dose-limiting toxicity or radiation-induced liver disease was observed. The median survival was 10 months (range 3–56 months) and the median progression-free duration was 6 months (range, 2–21 months). Partial response was achieved by four patients, stable disease by one, and one patient had disease progression. One patient with a partial response who underwent lobectomy after SBRT was alive 56 months post-SBRT.

Conclusion

This study suggests that SBRT can be delivered safely at 32–40 Gy in four fractions to huge hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, combinations of SBRT with other modalities such as surgery or TACE might prolong survival.

Liver Resection and Surgical Strategies for Management of Primary Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer-including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)-incidence is increasing and is an important source of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Management of these cancers, even when localized, is challenging due to the association with underlying liver disease and the complex anatomy of the liver. Although for ICC, surgical resection provides the only potential cure, for HCC, the risks and benefits of the multiple curative intent options must be considered to individualize treatment based upon tumor factors, baseline liver function, and the functional status of the patient. The principles of surgical resection for both HCC and ICC include margin-negative resections with preservation of adequate function of the residual liver. As the safety of surgical resection has improved in recent years, the role of liver resection for HCC has expanded to include selected patients with preserved liver function and small tumors (ablation as an alternative), tumors within Milan criteria (transplant as an alternative), and patients with large (>5 cm) and giant (>10 cm) HCC or with poor prognostic features (for whom surgery is infrequently offered) due to a survival benefit with resection for selected patients. An important surgical consideration specifically for ICC includes the high risk of nodal metastasis, for which portal lymphadenectomy is recommended at the time of hepatectomy for staging. For both diseases, onco-surgical strategies including portal vein embolization and parenchymal-sparing resections have increased the number of patients eligible for curative liver resection by improving patient outcomes. Multidisciplinary evaluation is critical in the management of patients with primary liver cancer to provide and coordinate the best treatments possible for these patients.

Impact of cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) and bipolar radiofrequency device (Habib-4X) based hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma on tumour recurrence and disease-free survival

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncological outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing liver resection using cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) or radiofrequency (RF) based device Habib-4X.


Study Design

We prospectively analyzed the data of 280 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at our institution from 2010–2012 with follow up till August 2016. The CUSA was used in the 163 patients whilst Habib-4X in 117 patients. The end points of analysis were oncological outcomes as disease recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, which has been compared with all other existing literature on the survival study.

Results

Compared with CUSA the reported incidence of recurrence was significantly lower, in Habib-4X group; p < 0.01. The median DFS was significantly better in Habib-4X group than CUSA group (50.80 vs 45.87 months, p = 0.03). The median OS was better in Habib-4X group than CUSA group (60.57 vs 57.17 months, p = 0.12) though the lesser difference in OS between the groups might be explained by the use of palliative therapies as TACE, percutaneous RFA, etc. in case of recurrence.

Conclusions

RF based device Habib-4X, is safe and effective device for resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, in comparison to CUSA with better oncological outcomes, i.e., significantly lesser tumour recurrence and better DFS. This could be explained on the basis of systemic and local immunomodulatory effect involving induction of kupffer cells and effector CD-8 T cells that help in minimizing postoperative complications and bring more advantageous oncological outcomes.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A large-scale retrospective study

The effect of cirrhosis on the characteristics of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate how cirrhosis affects the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of surgically treated ICC patients. A total of 1,312 ICC patients surgically treated between January 2007 and December 2011 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed and the clinicopathological data were compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant and independent prognostic factors in this cohort. A total of 302 patients (23.0%) were cirrhotic. Compared with cirrhotic patients, the tumors in non-cirrhotic patients were usually larger, less differentiated, and more likely to have lymphatic metastasis, vascular and perineural invasion. Following resection, cirrhotic patients achieved a longer survival compared with non-cirrhotic patients (16.0 vs. 13.0 months, respectively; P<0.038). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis were independent favorable prognostic factors, while the presence of cholelithiasis, elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels, multiple tumors, lymphatic metastasis, vascular invasion and positive surgical margin status were independent unfavorable prognostic factors. Overall, the clinicopathological characteristics of ICC patients with and without cirrhosis differed significantly. Compared with cirrhotic patients, in whom the biological behavior of ICC was similar to that of HCC, non-cirrhotic patients exhibited higher-risk pathological characteristics, lower curative resection rate and worse survival.

Elevated expression of neuropilin-2 associated with unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is a single-pass transmembrane glycoprotein and has recently been detected in several human cancer cells. However, its clinical relevance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed at evaluating NRP2 expression and clinicopathological significance in HCC patients. Tissue microarray of 190 HCC patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University was established, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for NRP2. The Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze the survival rate. We found that NRP2 expression in HCC was significantly associated with tumor histological degree (P=0.023) and cirrhosis (P=0.040). Furthermore, NRP2-positive HCC patients demonstrated shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than those of NRP2-negative patients. Then, the multivariate Cox analysis showed that hazard ratios of NRP2-positive patients with DFS and OS were 2.167 (95% CI: 1.626, 2.889) and 2.317 (95% CI: 1.548, 3.469), respectively. Our results suggested that NRP2 expression was considered as an independent factor for the prediction of unfavorable prognosis in HCC patients, and we believe that NRP2 could serve as a biomarker of poor prognosis and a novel target in treating HCC tumors.

Liver transplantation versus surgical resection for HCC meeting the Milan criteria: A propensity score analysis

The optimal treatment (liver transplantation [LT] vs surgical resection [SR]) for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial.A total of 209 SR patients and 129 LT patients were identified at our institution. After eliminating 27 patients with Child-Pugh C, the data from 209 SR patients and 102 LT patients were analyzed using a propensity score matching (PSM) model. Forty-six pairs were generated. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level or platelet count (PLT). A survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Gender, satellite lesions, and the treatment method were predictors of HCC recurrence. The Ishak score and treatment methods were associated with long-term survival after surgery. Before PSM, LT patients had a better prognosis than those treated by SR. Among HCC patients with childhood A/B cirrhosis, after PSM, SR achieved similar overall survival outcomes compared with LT. LT and SR resulted in comparable long-term survival for patients with or without thrombocytopenia. Patients with an AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL might achieve more survival benefits from LT.Our propensity score model provided evidence that, compared with transplantation, surgical resection could result in comparable long-term survival for resectable early-stage HCC patients, except for the AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL HCC subgroup. Surgical resection might not be a contraindication for early-stage HCC patients with thrombocytopenia due to their similar prognosis after transplantation.

Controversies and evidence of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Symptoms of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often go unnoticed, so more than half of patients with primary HCC are diagnosed after their disease has already reached an intermediate or advanced stage, or after portal hypertension has appeared. While hepatic resection is widely recognized as a first-line therapy to treat very early or early HCC, its use in treating intermediate or advanced HCC or HCC involving portal hypertension remains controversial. Here we review PubMed-indexed literature covering the use of hepatic resection for such patients. The available evidence strongly suggests that, as a result of improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, hepatic resection can benefit many patients with intermediate or advanced HCC or with HCC associated with portal hypertension.

Surgery for Intermediate and Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Consensus Report from the 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2014)

BACKGROUND

The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and treatment strategy does not recommended surgery for treating BCLC stage B and C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, numerous Asia-Pacific institutes still perform surgery for this patient group. This consensus report from the 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting aimed to share opinions and experiences pertaining to liver resection for intermediate and advanced HCCs and to provide evidence to issue recommendations for surgery in this patient group.

SUMMARY

Thirteen experts from five Asia-Pacific regions were invited to the meeting; 10 of them (Japan: 2, Taiwan: 3, South Korea: 2, Hong Kong: 1, and China: 2) voted for the final consensus. The discussion focused on evaluating the preoperative liver functional reserve and surgery for large tumors, multiple tumors, HCCs with vascular invasion, and HCCs with distant metastasis. The feasibility of future prospective randomized trials comparing surgery with transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate HCC and with sorafenib for advanced HCC was also discussed. The Child-Pugh score (9/10 experts) and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (8/10) were the most widely accepted methods for evaluating the preoperative liver functional reserve. All (10/10) experts agreed that portal hypertension, tumor size >5 cm, portal venous invasion, hepatic venous invasion, and extrahepatic metastasis are not absolute contraindications for the surgical resection of HCC. Furthermore, 9 of the 10 experts agreed that tumor resection may be performed for patients with >3 tumors. The limitations of surgery are associated with a poor liver functional reserve, incomplete tumor resection, and a high probability of recurrence.

KEY MESSAGES

Surgery provides significant survival benefits for Asian-Pacific patients with intermediate and advanced HCCs, particularly when the liver functional reserve is favorable. However, prospective randomized controlled trials are difficult to conduct because of technical and ethical considerations.

Molecular alterations in the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma: Tumor factors and background liver factors

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with poor prognosis worldwide, the molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis and progression of this disease remain unclear. Several tumor characteristics have previously been demonstrated to be prognostic factors of survival following hepatic resection, or the recurrence of HCC or other types of cancer. Comparisons of normal tissues and HCC tumor tissues have revealed the presence of numerous molecular alterations in HCC, including genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, particularly mutations in certain genes and DNA methylation in the promoter regions of tumor-suppressor genes. A number of studies have previously used array analysis to detect variations in the expression levels of cancer-associated genes and microRNAs, and in DNA methylation. However, an investigation of HCC tumor tissues may not determine the effect of noncancerous liver tissues (background liver) in patients with HCC. As HCC may recur multicentrically following resection, a damaged or chronically diseased HCC background liver may be considered as a pre-cancerous organ. Therefore, the influence of the background liver on HCC requires further study. Detailed studies regarding the background liver may be essential for the improved understanding of the carcinogenesis and progression of this malignancy; however only a few studies have investigated the microenvironment of the HCC background liver. The present review discusses prior molecular studies of hepatocarcinogenesis that focus on HCC and background liver tissues.