Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the most prevalent histologic types of primary liver cancer (PLC). Although ICC and HCC share similar risk factors and clinical manifestations, ICC usually bears poorer prognosis than HCC. Confidently discriminating ICC and HCC before surgery is beneficial to both treatment and prognosis. Given the lack of effective differential diagnosis biomarkers and methods, construction of models based on available clinicopathological characteristics is in need. Nomograms present a simple and efficient way to make a discrimination. A total of 2894 patients who underwent surgery for PLC were collected. Of these, 1614 patients formed the training cohort for nomogram construction, and thereafter, 1280 patients formed the validation cohort to confirm the model's performance. Histopathologically confirmed ICC was diagnosed in 401 (24.8%) and 296 (23.1%) patients in these two cohorts, respectively. A nomogram integrating six easily obtained variables (Gender, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alpha‐fetoprotein, Carcinoembryonic antigen, Carbohydrate antigen 19‐9) is proposed in accordance with Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). A score of 15 was determined as the cut‐off value, and the corresponding discrimination efficacy was sufficient. Additionally, patients who scored higher than 15 suffered poorer prognosis than those with lower scores, regardless of the subtype of PLC. A nomogram for clinical discrimination of ICC and HCC has been established, where a higher score indicates ICC and poor prognosis. Further application of this nomogram in multicenter investigations may confirm the practicality of this tool for future clinical use.
Highlights
Primary liver cancer (PLC), one of the most common solid tumor types, is a leading cause for cancer-related death around the world [1, 2]
PLC can be roughly divided into three main subtypes: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and mixed hepatocellular–cholangiocellular carcinoma according to different cell origin [3]
2894 patients who received hepatic resection for PLC and met the study criteria were enrolled in this retrospective investigation
Summary
Primary liver cancer (PLC), one of the most common solid tumor types, is a leading cause for cancer-related death around the world [1, 2]. PLC can be roughly divided into three main subtypes: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and mixed hepatocellular–cholangiocellular carcinoma according to different cell origin [3]. HCC is the major histopathologic subtype of PLC, accounting for more than 80% of the total intrahepatic primary malignancies [4, 5]. Originating from the epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts, ICC ranks the second most prevalent primary hepatic malignancy, accounting for 10%~15% of PLC [6]. In spite of recent advances in basic research and clinical trials, ICC reportedly bears a 5-year survival of only about 30% [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
