Small Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research Articles

Short-term and long-term results after minimally invasive liver resection for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma : Analysis of 714 patients from the Italian group of minimally invasive liver surgery (IGoMILS) register

Short-term and long-term results after minimally invasive liver resection for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma : Analysis of 714 patients from the Italian group of minimally invasive liver surgery (IGoMILS) register

Surgery or external beam radiation for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma.

There is little evidence on the efficacy of external beam radiation (EBR) compared to liver resection (LR) for patients with solitary small (≤5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate this clinical question based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. SEER database was used to identify 416 patients with solitary small HCC who underwent LR or EBR. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to evaluate overall survival (OS) and identify prognostic factors for OS. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to adjust the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Before PSM, the 1- and 2-year OS rates were 92.0% and 85.2% in the LR cohort and 76.0% and 60.3% in the EBR cohort, respectively (P < 0.001). After PSM, LR (n = 62) demonstrated improved OS compared to EBR (n = 62) (1-year OS rate: 96.5% vs. 76.0%; 2-year OS rate: 89.3% vs. 60.3%, P < 0.001), despite stratification on tumor size. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that treatment type was the only factor associated with OS (hazard ratio: 5.297; 95% confidence interval: 1.952-14.371, P = 0.001). For patients with solitary small HCC, LR may offer better survival outcomes than EBR.

Anatomic resection versus radiofrequency ablation with an ablative margin ≥ 1.0 cm for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma measuring ≤ 3 cm: Comparison of long-term outcomes using propensity score matching analysis

PurposeTo compare the long-term outcomes of anatomic resection (AR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with an ablative margin (AM) of ≥ 1.0 cm as first-line treatment for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma measuring ≤ 3 cm. MethodsTwo hundred and fifty-one patients who underwent AR (n = 156) or RFA (ablative margin ≥ 1.0 cm, n = 95) at any of 6 tertiary hospitals from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled. Propensity score matched analysis (PSM) were used to compare overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and perioperative outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with RFS and OS. ResultsPSM created 67 patient-pairs. After 96 months of follow-up, RFA with an ablative margin ≥ 1.0 cm and AR showed comparable 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 8-year OS rates before (P = 0.580) and after (P = 0.640) PSM. However, RFS was better at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years after AR before (P = 0.0036) and after (P = 0.017) PSM. The operation time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly longer in the AR group than in the RFA group before and after PSM (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified age and type of treatment to be independent prognostic factors for RFS and age and hepatitis C to be associated with OS. ConclusionsLong-term OS was not significantly different between AR and RFA with an AM ≥ 1.0 cm in patients with a solitary hepatocellular carcinoma measuring ≤ 3 cm; but, RFS appeared to be better after AR than after RFA. However, RFA was associated with fewer perioperative complications and a shorter postoperative hospital stay.

Preoperative Evaluation of Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI Radiomics-Based Nomogram in Small Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤3cm) With Microvascular Invasion: A Two-Center Study.

Preoperative evaluation of microvascular invasion (MVI) in small solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; maximum lesion diameter ≤ 3 cm) is important for treatment decisions. To apply gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI to develop and validate a nomogram for preoperative evaluation of MVI in small solitary HCC and to compare the effectiveness of radiomics evaluation models based on different volumes of interest (VOIs). Retrospective. A total of 196 patients include 62 MVI-positive and 134 MVI-negative patients were enrolled (training cohort, n=105; testing cohort, n=45; external validation cohort, n=46). 3.0 T, fat suppressed fast-spin-echo T2-weighted and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo sequences. Radiomics features were extracted on T2-weighted, arterial phase (AP), and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images from different VOIs (VOIintratumor and VOIintratumor+peritumor ) and filtered by the least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) regression. From VOIintratumor and VOIintratumor+peritumor , eight radiomics models were constructed based on three MRI sequences (T2-weighted, AP, and HBP) and fused sequences (combined of three sequences). Nomograms were constructed of a clinical-radiological (CR) model and a clinical-radiological-radiomics (CRR) model. One-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, LASSO, logistic regression analysis, area under the curve (AUC), nomograms, decision curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analyses, and DeLong test. Among eight radiomics models, the fused sequences-based VOIintratumor+peritumor radiomics model showed the best performance. The CRR model containing the best performance radiomics model and CR model with the AUC values were 0.934, 0.889, and 0.875, respectively. NRI and IDI analyses showed that the CRR model improved evaluation efficacy over the CR model for all three cohorts (all P-value <0.05). The CRR model nomogram could preoperatively evaluate MVI in small solitary HCC. The radiomics model based on VOIintratumor+peritumor might achieve better evaluation results. 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Open Liver Resection, Laparoscopic Liver Resection, and Radiofrequency Ablation for Elderly Cirrhotic Patients with a Preserved Liver Function (Child-Pugh A) and Solitary Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤30 mm)

Background: Thinking about the increment in overall life expectancy and the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rising incidence , more patients aged≥70years are considered for HCC treatment. Elderly patients with a single HCC≤3 cm and preserved liver function have the highest probability to be cured if treated. The most appropriate treatment strategies are yet a problem that is debated.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of different contrast agents on multiphase enhanced MRI for microvascular invasion: preoperative prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The preoperative diagnosis of microvascular invasion (MVI) for the solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) is crucial for the decision of surgical strategies. To compare the kinetic parameters and diagnostic effects of two contrast agents for preoperatively predicting MVI of sHCC on multiphase enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two groups of patients with known solitary sHCC underwent an enhanced MRI examination before hepatic resection: Data A (n = 61) patients underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, and Data B (n = 41) patients had a normal contrast agent. The two sets of data were processed in the same way. Arterial peritumoral enhancement measured from multiphase enhanced MRI was analyzed using quantitative kinetic parameters, including initial signal enhancement (SE1), peak signal enhancement (SEpeak), and calculation of the signal enhancement ratio (SER). The statistical analysis showed that the average SE1 and SER (Data A) for the MVI-positive group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the MVI-negative group. The SER (Data B) and SEpeak showed no significant difference for either group. In Data A, the receiver operating characteristic analysis between the two groups had an area under the curve of 0.74 and 0.71 for SE1 and SER, respectively, which was higher than that of Data B. The different contrast agents had the same enhancement curve trend. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI had a better quantitative kinetic parameter analysis effect for arterial peritumoral enhancement on predicting MVI of sHCC in clinical practice.

Computational quantitative measures of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI hepatobiliary phase images can predict microvascular invasion of small HCC

PurposeThis study was designed to preoperatively predict microvascular invasion (MVI) of solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) by quantitative analysis of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced hepatobiliary phase (HBP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MethodSixty-one patients, 19 with and 42 without histologically confirmed MVI following hepatic resection for solitary sHCC (≤ 3 cm), were preoperatively examined with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. The regions of interest (ROIs) of the hepatic lesions were manually delineated on the maximum cross-sectional area in the HBP images and used to calculate the lesion boundary index (LBI) and marginal gray changes (MGC). Histogram analysis was performed to measure standard deviations (STD) and coefficients of variation (CV). Correlations between quantitative parameters and MVI were evaluated and differences between MVI positive and negative groups were assessed. ResultsThe average LBI (0.85 ± 0.07) and MGC (0.48 ± 0.27) values of the negative group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the corresponding LBI (0.72 ± 0.07) and MGC (0.28 ± 0.18) values of the positive group. STDs and CVs in the negative group were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those of the positive group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that LBI had the best predictive value with an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.91, 87 %, and 80 %, respectively. ConclusionsQuantitative analysis of HBP images is useful for predicting MVI and beneficial to clinicians in making decisions before treatment.

Utility of cone unit liver resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched analysis

BackgroundAnatomical resection (AR) is performed widely for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is controversial whether typical AR, which removes the whole feeding territory of the tumor-bearing portal branch bordered by the landmark veins, is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of small AR, so-called cone unit resection, for small HCC. MethodsBetween 2007 and 2019, 372 hepatectomies were performed for HCC. Among them, 91 initial resections for small (<5 cm) solitary HCC were performed by typical AR (n = 44) or cone unit AR (n = 47). Propensity score matching was performed and clinicopathological features including prognosis were compared. ResultsAt baseline, platelet count was higher, and liver function (serum albumin level) and indocyanine green retention at 15 min were better in the typical AR than cone unit AR group. There was no significant difference between the typical AR and cone unit AR group for tumor characteristics, short- and long-term outcomes. Even after propensity score matching (n = 29), the short- and long-term outcomes were also equivalent in between the two groups. ConclusionThere was no difference in prognosis of typical and cone unit AR. Therefore, cone unit AR is a feasible procedure for small HCC.

Tumor necrosis as a poor prognostic predictor on postoperative survival of patients with solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundSmall hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) is a special subtype of HCC with the maximum tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm and excellent long-term outcomes. Surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation provides the greatest chance for cure; however, many patients still undergo tumor recurrence after primary treatment. To date, there is no clinical applicable method to assess biological aggressiveness in solitary sHCC.MethodsIn the current study, we retrospectively evaluated tumor necrosis of 335 patients with solitary sHCC treated with hepatectomy between December 1998 and 2010 from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.ResultsThe presence of tumor necrosis was observed in 157 of 335 (46.9%) sHCC patients. Further correlation analysis showed that tumor necrosis was significantly correlated with tumor size and vascular invasion (P = 0.026, 0.003, respectively). The presence of tumor necrosis was associated closely with poorer cancer-specific overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) as evidenced by univariate (P < 0.001; hazard ratio, 2.821; 95% CI, 1.643–4.842) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.005; hazard ratio, 2.208; 95% CI, 1.272–3.833). Notably, the combined model by tumor necrosis, vascular invasion and tumor size can significantly stratify the risk for RFS and OS and improve the ability to discriminate sHCC patients’ outcomes (P < 0.0001 for both).ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that tumor necrosis has the potential to be a parameter for cancer aggressiveness in solitary sHCC. The combined prognostic model may be a useful tool to identify solitary sHCC patients with worse outcomes.

Quantitative analysis of microvascular invasion preoperative prediction in solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma on dynamic enhancement MRI

Quantitative analysis of microvascular invasion preoperative prediction in solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma on dynamic enhancement MRI

Development and Assessment of Novel Predictive Nomograms Based on APRI for Hepatitis B Virus-associated Small Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy.

Background: The correlation between serum inflammatory marker before treatment and the survival of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated small solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) remains unclear. The objective of our study is to estimate survival in such patients using multivariable prediction models and investigate the prognostic value of aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet index (APRI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) for HBV-associated small solitary HCC patients treated with SBRT.Patients and methods: Patients with HBV-associated small solitary HCC who were newly treated with SBRT were retrospectively analysed in our hospital from 2009 to 2016. We counted the APRI, NLR, PLR, and LMR before treatment and calculated their cut-off values for predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The random forest model combined with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model for OS and PFS were used to screen potentially prognostic factors from serum inflammatory markers, demographic data, and clinical characteristics. Predictive models for OS and PFS were developed by multivariable COX regression and nomograms were constructed. Discrimination was assessed using the C-index. Internal validation was assessed using the Bootstrap method. Survival analysis was carried out to assess the prognostic value of serum inflammatory markers, and OS and PFS curves were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-Rank test, respectively.Results: A total of 72 patients with HBV-associated small solitary HCC were recruited for the study. The median follow-up time was 2015 days (range, 232-3823 days). Age, tumor size, NLR, PLR, and APRI were used to construct nomogram for OS, while gender, age, TNM stage, portal hypertension, AFP, APRI were for PFS. The two models displayed good discriminations with C-indexes of 0.738 (95% CI: 0.632-0.844) and 0.657 (95% CI: 0.538-0.777), and their C-indexes in the internal validation cohort reached 0.790 (95% CI: 0.684-0.896) and 0.739 (95% CI: 0.619-0.859). The multivariable cox analysis indicated that APRI<0.47 was favourable independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Compared to APRI≥0.47, APRI<0.47 predicts better OS (p=0.003) and PFS (p=0.003).Conclusions: Nomograms based on APRI are superior in predicting OS and PFS in HBV-associated small solitary HCC patients who have received SBRT. APRI before treatment is a feasible and convenient prognostic indicator for OS and PFS, which helpfully determines the beneficial population of SBRT for HBV-associated small solitary HCC.

Comparison of open liver resection and RFA for the treatment of solitary 3\u20135-cmhepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to compare the postoperative results of liver resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (3–5 cm).Patients and methodsWe retrospectively collected 122 cases of small solitary HCC treated at our center from Jan 2011 to Dec 2015, with diameters in the range of 3–5 cm. According to the treatment program received at our center, the patients were divided into liver resection (72 patients) and RFA (50 patients) groups.ResultIn comparison with the RFA group, the resection group had a longer operative time, greater intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.01), more hepatic inflow occlusion, and a longer postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.01). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year expected overall survival rates and tumor-free survival rates were comparable between the two groups. Cox regression analysis showed that neither resection nor RFA was a significant risk factor for overall or tumor-free survival in HCC.ConclusionsFor solitary HCC of 3–5 cm in diameter, RFA can achieve better in-hospital clinical results and similar long-term outcomes than resection and can be considered for wide application, especially for central-location cases.

Tumor size and location affecting the treatment selection for solitary small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (≤3.0cm) after initial hepatectomy.

106 Background: We aimed to investigate the optimal treatment modality between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and repeated hepatectomy in the treatment of solitary recurrent HCC (rHCC) after hepatectomy, considering the influence of tumor size and location. Methods: From Jan 2009 to Dec 2016, 630 consecutive patients with solitary small rHCC (≤3.0cm) after initial hepatectomy who underwent RFA or repeated hepatectomy were enrolled in three tertiary referral centers. Patients were divided into four groups according to tumor size (≤ 2.0cm or &gt; 2.0cm) and location (central or peripheral) respectively. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared between RFA and repeated hepatectomy in these four groups. Results: For central rHCC ≤ 2.0cm, the OS and RFS rates at 5 years after RFA were significantly higher than those after repeated hepatectomy (69.9% vs 53.1%, P= 0.001; 56.2% vs 42.6%, P= 0.038). For central rHCC &gt; 2.0cm, the 5-year OS and RFS rates were not significantly different between repeated hepatectomy and RFA (55.9% vs 48.2%, P= 0.080; 27.0% vs 19.2%, P= 0.103). For peripheral tumors ≤ 2.0cm (58.8% vs. 47.7%, P= 0.001; 45.2% vs. 25.6%, P= 0.001) or &gt; 2.0cm (62.6% vs. 45.4%, P= 0.001; 44.7% vs. 21.1%, P= 0.010), the OS and RFS rates at 5 years after repeated hepatectomy were both significantly higher than those after RFA. Complications were more common in patients after repeated hepatectomy than RFA, especially for central tumors. Conclusions: RFA might be the optimal treatment for patients with central rHCC ≤ 2.0 cm whereas repeated hepatectomy should be recommended for patients with peripheral tumors.

Clinical predictors of small solitary hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma microinvasion.

Microinvasion serves as a reliable indicator of poor prognosis after hepatectomy or transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, microinvasion is difficult to detect with current imaging modalities and is usually diagnosed histopathologically. The aim of this study is to identify the preoperative clinical predictors of microinvasion of small solitary hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. From January 2000 to December 2009, 110 patients with HBV-related small primary solitary HCC (tumour diameter ≤3.0 cm) who underwent hepatectomy at Chinese PLA General Hospital were enrolled. The independent predictors of microinvasion, such as microvascular invasion and microscopic satellite nodules, were analysed. The prognosis of patients with microinvasion was compared with that of patients without microinvasion. Of the 110 patients, 31 (28.2%) exhibited microinvasion. Among them, 16 (51.6%) had microvascular invasion with microscopic satellite nodules, five (16.1%) had microscopic satellite nodules without microvascular invasion and 10 (32.3%) had microvascular invasion without microscopic satellite nodules. Two independent predictors of microinvasion were identified: serum alpha-fetoprotein >20 ng/mL and a viral load of >104 copies/mL. Patients without microinvasion exhibited a significantly better prognostic outcome compared with those with microinvasion. Regarding HBV-related small HCC, patients presenting with alpha-fetoprotein levels >20 ng/mL and a high viral load (HBV-DNA >104 copies/mL) are at substantial risk for microinvasion.

Tumor size and location affecting the treatment selection for solitary small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (≤3.0 cm) after initial hepatectomy.

e15660 Background: We aimed to investigate the optimal treatment modality between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and repeated hepatectomy in the treatment of solitary recurrent HCC (rHCC) after hepatectomy, considering the influence of tumor size and location. Methods: From Jan 2009 to Dec 2016, 630 consecutive patients with solitary small rHCC (≤3.0cm) after initial hepatectomy who underwent RFA or repeated hepatectomy were enrolled in three tertiary referral centers. Patients were divided into four groups according to tumor size (≤ 2.0cm or &gt; 2.0cm) and location (central or peripheral) respectively. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared between RFA and repeated hepatectomy in these four groups. Results: For central rHCC ≤ 2.0cm, the OS and RFS rates at 5 years after RFA were significantly higher than those after repeated hepatectomy (69.9% vs 53.1%, P= 0.001; 56.2% vs 42.6%, P= 0.038). For central rHCC &gt; 2.0cm, the 5-year OS and RFS rates were not significantly different between repeated hepatectomy and RFA (55.9% vs 48.2%, P= 0.080; 27.0% vs 19.2%, P= 0.103). For peripheral tumors ≤ 2.0cm (58.8% vs. 47.7%, P= 0.001; 45.2% vs. 25.6%, P= 0.001) or &gt; 2.0cm (62.6% vs. 45.4%, P= 0.001; 44.7% vs. 21.1%, P= 0.010), the OS and RFS rates at 5 years after repeated hepatectomy were both significantly higher than those after RFA. Complications were more common in patients after repeated hepatectomy than RFA, especially for central tumors. Conclusions: RFA might be the optimal treatment for patients with central rHCC ≤ 2.0 cm whereas repeated hepatectomy should be recommended for patients with peripheral tumors.

Appropriate treatment modality for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma: Radiofrequency ablation vs. resection vs. transplantation?

There has been controversy regarding the first-line treatment modality for the patients who have small solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), surgical hepatic resection (HR) and liver transplantation (LT). For selection of treatment modality of HCC, it should be considered of hepatic reservoir function as well as the tumor stage. If the liver function is good enough, HR may be the first choice regardless of the tumor size. However, recent studies comparing RFA with resection showed comparable outcome and similar survival rates. RFA, HR and LT provide good outcome for patients who have small HCCs. RFA would be desired in patients who have below 3.0 cm in size and low alpha-fetoprotein (<200 ng/mL). However, in small HCC with high tumor marker, HR should be considered. Better patient selection for the ‘resection first’ approach and early detection of recurrence can achieve better outcomes of the salvage LT strategy. Another benefit of resection first strategy is that it make possible to do enlist of LT for patients before recurrence at high risk of HCC recurrence after resection on the basis of pathologic aggressiveness, microvascular invasion and/or satellites nodule. They should be applied appropriately according to the tumor size, location, tumor markers and underlying liver parenchymal disease.

4:21 PM Abstract No. 281 Long-term outcomes in superselective transarterial chemoembolization using lipiodol with 3D: safety margin versus radiofrequency ablation for solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma

To compare tumor control rate and survival duration between superselective transarterial chemoembolization using lipiodol (cTACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as an initial treatment of solitary small HCC. In 798 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC between 2007 and 2015, 130 patients with solitary small HCC (mean 1.7 cm, 0.5- 3.0 cm in diameter) who underwent superselective cTACE alone (62 patients) or RFA alone (68 patients) were retrospectively analyzed. 3D-safety margin was obtained in 45 patients (72.3%) in cTACE. Local progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Median OS/local PFS of cTACE with and without 3D-safety margin were 86.0/51.0 months and 25.2/13.5 months, respectively, while 89.3/49.8 months in RFA. There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between cTACE with margin and RFA, although those of cTACE without margin showed significantly shorter survival. The 1-, 3-, 5-year rates of OS/local PFS of cTACE with margin were 97.8/88.8%, 88.3/66.0% and 69.6/44.8%, respectively, while those of RFA were 97.1/ 88.1%, 82.6/57.9% and 58.6/44.8%, respectively. Superselective cTACE obtaining 3D-safety margin demonstrated a high tumor control rate with encouraging long survival duration, which could produce similar outcomes to RFA, in patients with initial solitary small HCC.

Validation of the OncoHepa test, a multigene expression profile test, and the tumor marker-volume score to predict postresection outcome in small solitary hepatocellular carcinomas.

PurposeOncoHepa test is a multigene expression profile test developed for assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Multiplication of α-FP, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) and tumor volume (TV) gives the α-FP-DCP-volume (ADV) score, which is also developed for assessment of HCC prognosis.MethodsThe predictive powers of OncoHepa test and ADV score were validated in 35 patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for naïve solitary HCCs ≤5 cm.ResultsMedian tumor diameter was 3.0 cm. Tumor recurrence and patient survival rates were 28.6% and 100% at 1 year, 48.6% and 82.9% at 3 years, and 54.3% and 71.4% at 5 years, respectively. The site of first tumor recurrence was the remnant liver in 18, lung in 1, and the peritoneum in 1. All patients with HCC recurrence received locoregional treatment. OncoHepa test showed marginal prognostic significance for tumor recurrence and patient survival. ADV score at 4log also showed marginal prognostic difference with respect to tumor recurrence and patient survival. Combination of these 2 tests resulted in greater prognostic significance for both tumor recurrence (P = 0.046) and patient survival (P = 0.048).ConclusionBoth OncoHepa test and ADV score have considerably strong prognostic power, thus individual and combined findings of OncoHepa test and ADV score will be helpful to guide postresection surveillance in patients with solitary HCCs ≤5 cm.

Radiofrequency ablation using a 10-mm target margin for small hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis: A prospective randomized trial.

To compare 3-year clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targeting 5- or 10-mm margins for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in cirrhotic patients. In total, 96 cirrhotic patients with a small solitary HCC (diameter ≤3 cm) were included in this prospective trial (ChiCTRTRC-10000954). Patients were stratified by Child-Pugh class and randomly allocated into groups targeting either wide margins (≥10 mm, WM) or narrow margins (≥5 mm but <10 mm, NM). RFA was performed under real-time monitoring, and ablative margins were evaluated by pre- and post-operative three-dimensional registration on CT. The mean follow-up time was 38.3 ± 4.8 months, 83.3% (40/48) of patients succeeded in obtaining a 10-mm margin in WM group. Based on intention-to-treat analysis, the 3-year incidences of local tumor progression (LTP) (14.9% vs 30.2%), intrahepatic recurrence (IHR) (15.0% vs 32.7%), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (31.7 ± 12.1 vs 24.0 ± 11.7 months) for WM group were significantly improved compared to NM group. Several prognostic factors were identified from univariate and multivariate analyses. Additionally, cirrhosis-stratified subgroup analyses demonstrated significant survival benefits of WM in patients with Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis. RFA treatment targeting 10-mm margin may reduce the risk of tumor recurrence in cirrhotic patients with a single small HCC.

Thermal Ablation versus Surgical Resection for the Treatment of Stage T1 Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Population

PurposeTo compare survival outcomes of small solitary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) treated with thermal ablation vs resection in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cohort. Materials and MethodsSEER data (November 2014 submission) were searched for histologic diagnoses of HCC and stage T1 disease (≤ 5-cm solitary tumor without vascular invasion). Comparison was made between thermal ablation and resection as the primary treatment. Overall and disease-specific survival were compared by log-rank tests (stratified for presence of fibrosis) and Cox regression (with tumor size and presence of fibrosis covariates). ResultsOf 264 patients with ≤ 2-cm HCCs, 185 underwent thermal ablation and 79 underwent resection. Patients undergoing ablation had higher Ishak scores (P = .0002). There was no difference in survival (observed P = .698, disease-specific P = .446). Of 544 patients with 2.1–4-cm HCCs, 335 underwent thermal ablation and 209 underwent resection. Patients undergoing ablation were more likely to have higher Ishak scores (P < .001), but had slightly smaller tumors (2.9 vs 3.1 cm; P < .001). There was no difference in survival (observed P = .174, disease-specific P = .609). Of 112 patients with 4.1–5-cm HCCs, 46 underwent thermal ablation and 66 underwent resection. Patients undergoing ablation had higher Ishak scores (P = .0002). Surgical resection was associated with improved survival (observed P = .009, disease-specific P = .046). ConclusionsThere was no difference in overall or disease-specific survival between surgical resection and thermal ablation for T1 HCCs ≤ 4 cm after adjusting for the presence of histologic fibrosis and tumor size in the SEER cohort. Significant benefit was observed with surgery for tumors measuring 4.1–5 cm.