Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.

Key clinical point: No single first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated superior outcomes across all measures, therefore treatment should be based on individual goals.

Major finding: Lenvatinib ranked highest for overall response rate for patients with advanced/unresectable HCC, followed by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and nivolumab. For progression-free survival, the top-ranked treatments was atezolizumab + bevacizumab, followed by lenvatinib.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 27 randomized, controlled trials of first-line therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatments compared in the studies were Treatments compared were atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, brivanib, donafenib, dovitinib, FOLFOX4, lenvatinib, linifanib, nintedanib, nivolumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, 11 sorafenib combination therapies, and 3 other combination therapies. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han Y et al. World J. Gastroenterol. 2021 May 21. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i19.2415.

Key clinical point: No single first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated superior outcomes across all measures, therefore treatment should be based on individual goals.

Major finding: Lenvatinib ranked highest for overall response rate for patients with advanced/unresectable HCC, followed by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and nivolumab. For progression-free survival, the top-ranked treatments was atezolizumab + bevacizumab, followed by lenvatinib.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 27 randomized, controlled trials of first-line therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatments compared in the studies were Treatments compared were atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, brivanib, donafenib, dovitinib, FOLFOX4, lenvatinib, linifanib, nintedanib, nivolumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, 11 sorafenib combination therapies, and 3 other combination therapies. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han Y et al. World J. Gastroenterol. 2021 May 21. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i19.2415.

Key clinical point: No single first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated superior outcomes across all measures, therefore treatment should be based on individual goals.

Major finding: Lenvatinib ranked highest for overall response rate for patients with advanced/unresectable HCC, followed by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and nivolumab. For progression-free survival, the top-ranked treatments was atezolizumab + bevacizumab, followed by lenvatinib.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 27 randomized, controlled trials of first-line therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatments compared in the studies were Treatments compared were atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, brivanib, donafenib, dovitinib, FOLFOX4, lenvatinib, linifanib, nintedanib, nivolumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, 11 sorafenib combination therapies, and 3 other combination therapies. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han Y et al. World J. Gastroenterol. 2021 May 21. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i19.2415.

Key clinical point: The EZ albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was significantly correlated with the original and more complex ALBI score as a biomarker of liver injury.

Major finding: The correlation coefficient of the EZ-ALBI score with the standard ALBI score was 0.965 (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, factors including EZ-ALBI grade 2 and 3 were independently associated with increased mortality.

Study details: The data come from 3,794 patients newly diagnosed with HCC who were prospectively enrolled in the study and later analyzed.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Ho S-Y et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 May 26. doi:10.1111/hepr.13671.

Key clinical point: The EZ albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was significantly correlated with the original and more complex ALBI score as a biomarker of liver injury.

Major finding: The correlation coefficient of the EZ-ALBI score with the standard ALBI score was 0.965 (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, factors including EZ-ALBI grade 2 and 3 were independently associated with increased mortality.

Study details: The data come from 3,794 patients newly diagnosed with HCC who were prospectively enrolled in the study and later analyzed.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Ho S-Y et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 May 26. doi:10.1111/hepr.13671.

Key clinical point: The EZ albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was significantly correlated with the original and more complex ALBI score as a biomarker of liver injury.

Major finding: The correlation coefficient of the EZ-ALBI score with the standard ALBI score was 0.965 (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, factors including EZ-ALBI grade 2 and 3 were independently associated with increased mortality.

Study details: The data come from 3,794 patients newly diagnosed with HCC who were prospectively enrolled in the study and later analyzed.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Ho S-Y et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 May 26. doi:10.1111/hepr.13671.

Key clinical point: Over a median follow-up of 36.7 months, safety and efficacy based on complications and rates of overall survival were not significantly different between hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and those treated with microwave ablation (MWA).

Major finding: Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 201 consecutive adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent either radiofrequency ablation (150 patients) or microwave ablation (51 patients) at a single center between January 2012 and December 2016.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program and the Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.  The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han X et al. Abdom Radiol. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.1007/s00261-021-03105-9.

Key clinical point: Over a median follow-up of 36.7 months, safety and efficacy based on complications and rates of overall survival were not significantly different between hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and those treated with microwave ablation (MWA).

Major finding: Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 201 consecutive adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent either radiofrequency ablation (150 patients) or microwave ablation (51 patients) at a single center between January 2012 and December 2016.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program and the Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.  The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han X et al. Abdom Radiol. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.1007/s00261-021-03105-9.

Key clinical point: Over a median follow-up of 36.7 months, safety and efficacy based on complications and rates of overall survival were not significantly different between hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and those treated with microwave ablation (MWA).

Major finding: Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 201 consecutive adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent either radiofrequency ablation (150 patients) or microwave ablation (51 patients) at a single center between January 2012 and December 2016.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program and the Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.  The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Han X et al. Abdom Radiol. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.1007/s00261-021-03105-9.

First is an article from Elshaarawy O et al. who looked at preoperative and postoperative models to evaluate postresection survival. Between December 2010 and January 2017, 120 patients who underwent resection with curative intent, were analyzed for survival, liver decompensation, and posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). It will come as no surprise that HCC recurrence following resection adversely affected survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 11.67, 95%CI: 4.19-32.52, P < 0.001). Also affecting survival were the preoperative MELD score [HR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.16-1.62, P < 0.001] and grades A through C of the PHLF score. Significant independent predictors of postoperative liver decompensation were the preoperative MELD score >10 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.2-5.7, P = 0.013], tumor diameter >5 cm (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2-14.8, P = 0.001) and duration of hospital stay (6. 8 days vs 11.26 days; OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.5-4.2, P = 0.001).

Next, Lei GY et al. undertook a retrospective study of 244 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection with curative intent between January 200 and December 2017. They found that the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. In these patients, the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%.

Taken together, these studies confirm that underlying liver function both before and after surgery is a key predictor of how well a patient is likely to do after curative-intent surgery. Excellent multidisciplinary care remains important for patient well-being.

Finally, for patients who are not candidates for liver resection, Han X et al. evaluated the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) in a retrospective study of 201 consecutive patients whose tumors were within Milan criteria, but were in challenging locations for resection. RFA was performed in 150 patients, while 51 patients underwent MWA between January 2012 and December 2016.  Median follow-up was 36.7 months. Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%). The authors concluded that both procedures are equally safe and effective in patients with HCC.

First is an article from Elshaarawy O et al. who looked at preoperative and postoperative models to evaluate postresection survival. Between December 2010 and January 2017, 120 patients who underwent resection with curative intent, were analyzed for survival, liver decompensation, and posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). It will come as no surprise that HCC recurrence following resection adversely affected survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 11.67, 95%CI: 4.19-32.52, P < 0.001). Also affecting survival were the preoperative MELD score [HR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.16-1.62, P < 0.001] and grades A through C of the PHLF score. Significant independent predictors of postoperative liver decompensation were the preoperative MELD score >10 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.2-5.7, P = 0.013], tumor diameter >5 cm (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2-14.8, P = 0.001) and duration of hospital stay (6. 8 days vs 11.26 days; OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.5-4.2, P = 0.001).

Next, Lei GY et al. undertook a retrospective study of 244 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection with curative intent between January 200 and December 2017. They found that the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. In these patients, the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%.

Taken together, these studies confirm that underlying liver function both before and after surgery is a key predictor of how well a patient is likely to do after curative-intent surgery. Excellent multidisciplinary care remains important for patient well-being.

Finally, for patients who are not candidates for liver resection, Han X et al. evaluated the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) in a retrospective study of 201 consecutive patients whose tumors were within Milan criteria, but were in challenging locations for resection. RFA was performed in 150 patients, while 51 patients underwent MWA between January 2012 and December 2016.  Median follow-up was 36.7 months. Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%). The authors concluded that both procedures are equally safe and effective in patients with HCC.

First is an article from Elshaarawy O et al. who looked at preoperative and postoperative models to evaluate postresection survival. Between December 2010 and January 2017, 120 patients who underwent resection with curative intent, were analyzed for survival, liver decompensation, and posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). It will come as no surprise that HCC recurrence following resection adversely affected survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 11.67, 95%CI: 4.19-32.52, P < 0.001). Also affecting survival were the preoperative MELD score [HR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.16-1.62, P < 0.001] and grades A through C of the PHLF score. Significant independent predictors of postoperative liver decompensation were the preoperative MELD score >10 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.2-5.7, P = 0.013], tumor diameter >5 cm (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2-14.8, P = 0.001) and duration of hospital stay (6. 8 days vs 11.26 days; OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.5-4.2, P = 0.001).

Next, Lei GY et al. undertook a retrospective study of 244 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection with curative intent between January 200 and December 2017. They found that the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. In these patients, the overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%.

Taken together, these studies confirm that underlying liver function both before and after surgery is a key predictor of how well a patient is likely to do after curative-intent surgery. Excellent multidisciplinary care remains important for patient well-being.

Finally, for patients who are not candidates for liver resection, Han X et al. evaluated the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) in a retrospective study of 201 consecutive patients whose tumors were within Milan criteria, but were in challenging locations for resection. RFA was performed in 150 patients, while 51 patients underwent MWA between January 2012 and December 2016.  Median follow-up was 36.7 months. Cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively, for MWA patients and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2%, respectively, for RFA patients (P = 0.450).  Major complication rates also were similar between the two groups (3.3% vs. 3.9%). The authors concluded that both procedures are equally safe and effective in patients with HCC.