Anatomical sites (Takasaki's segmentation) predicts the recurrence-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Until now, several classification staging system and treatment algorithm for hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) has been presented. However, anatomical location is not taken into account in these staging systems. The aim of this study is to investigate whether anatomical sites could predict the postoperative recurrence of HCC patients. METHODS: 294 HCC patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. A novel score classification based on anatomical sites was established by a Cox regression model and validated in the internal validation cohort. RESULTS: HCC patients were stratified according to the novel score classification into three groups (score 0, score 1-3 and score 4-6). The predictive accuracy of the novel recurrence score for HCC patients as determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) at 1, 3, and 5 years (AUCs 0.703, 0.706, and 0.605) was greater than that of the other representative classification systems. These findings were supported by the internal validation cohort. For patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) 0 and A stage, our data demonstrated that there was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival (RFS) between patients with score 0 and liver transplantation recipients. Additionally, we introduced this novel classification system to guide anatomical liver resection for centrally located liver tumors. CONCLUSION: The novel score classification may provide a reliable and objective model to predict the RFS of HCC after hepatic resection.

A Novel Score Predicts HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Hepatectomy: a Retrospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: In China, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important causative factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The contribution and interaction of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and total tumor volume (TTV) in association with HCC recurrence is unknown. A reliable point score based on the FIB-4 score, TTV, and differentiation grade was established to predict the postoperative recurrence of HBV-related HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection (HR). METHODS: Three hundred thirty-eight HBV-related HCC patients from three institutions treated by HR were enrolled in this retrospective study. Prognostic factors were also evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model in the training cohort. The DFT score was established by a Cox regression model and validated in the internal cohort and the external cohorts from the other two institutions. RESULTS: The DFT score differentiated four groups of HBV-related HCC patients (0, 1-2, 3, 4-5 points) with distinct prognosis (median recurrence-free survival (RFS), 72.7 vs. 53.0 vs. 23.2 vs. 5.7 months; P < 0.05). Its predictive accuracy as determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) at 1, 3, and 5 years (AUCs 0.7319, 0.7031, and 0.6972) was greater than the other three staging systems for HCC. These findings were supported by the validation cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The DFT model is a reliable and objective model to predict the RFS of HBV-related HCC patients after HR.

Better prognosis of hepatic resection combined with antiviral therapy for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma with BCLC Stage B/C.

BACKGROUND: Whether hepatic resection (HR) could be performed for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B/C stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial, and the safety and clinical value of HR combined with antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC with BCLC-B/C stage remain to be investigated. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 126 patients with BCLC stage B/C HCC who underwent HR. These patients were divided into the antiviral group (Group A, n = 86) and the control group (Group B, n = 40). The operative indications and prognosis of 126 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for Group A and Group B were 55.4%, 36.1%, 33.7% and 53.8%, 28.2%, 23.1%, respectively. The corresponding overall survival (OS) rates for the two groups were 89.2%, 61.4%, 45.8% and 82.1%, 48.7%, 33.3%, respectively. The DFS and OS for Group A were better than for Group B (p = 0.013, and p = 0.038, respectively). Antiviral therapy was an independent protective factor of late tumor recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.391, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.190-0.806, p = 0.011] but not of early tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: It is safe and feasible to perform HR combined with antiviral therapy for HBV-related HCC with BCLC stage B/C.