Importance of Microvascular Invasion Risk and Tumor Size on Recurrence and Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Anatomical Resection and Non-anatomical Resection

Purpose: To establish a valid prediction model to prognose the occurrence of microvascular invasion (MVI), and to compare the efficacy of anatomic resection (AR) or non-anatomic resection (NAR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Two hundred twenty-eight patients with HCC who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled. Their hematological indicators, MRI imaging features, and outcome data were acquired. Result: In the multivariable analysis, alpha-fetoprotein >15 ng/mL, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >3.8, corona enhancement, and peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase were associated with MVI. According on these factors, the AUROC of the predictive model in the primary and validation cohorts was 0.884 (95% CI: 0.829, 0.938) and 0.899 (95% CI: 0.821, 0.967), respectively. Patients with high risk of MVI or those with low risk of MVI but tumor size >5 cm in the AR group were associated with a lower rate of recurrence and death than patients in the NAR group; however, when patients are in the state of low-risk MVI with tumor size >5 cm, there is no difference in the rate of recurrence and death between AR and NAR. Conclusion: Our predictive model for HCC with MVI is convenient and accurate. Patients with high-risk of MVI or low-risk of MVI but tumor size >5 cm executing AR is of great necessity.

Automated summary

The study established a predictive model to forecast the occurrence of microvascular invasion in HCC patients, and compared the efficacy of anatomic resection and non-anatomic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. The predictive model was found to be convenient and accurate, highlighting the importance of performing anatomic resection in patients with high risk of MVI or low risk of MVI with larger tumors.