Yan-Yan Wang1, Li-Jun Wang1, Da Xu1, Ming Liu1, Hong-Wei Wang1, Kun Wang1, Xu Zhu2, Bao-Cai Xing3. 1. Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Department I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China. 2. Interventional Therapy Department, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China. 3. Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Department I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China. Electronic address: xingbaocai88@sina.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a powerful predictor of recurrence in patients who undergo liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) in HCC patients with MVI, and further select potential patients benefitting from PA-TACE. METHODS: Patients who had HCC with MVI and underwent liver resection between September 2004 and December 2015 were identified for further analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients treated with and without PA-TACE. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize inter-group differences. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with HCC and MVI were included. In both the entire and propensity-matched cohorts, OS and DFS were higher in PA-TACE group than non-TACE group (all P < 0.05). In subgroup analyses, PA-TACE showed efficacy in improving OS and DFS in HCC patients at early stage beyond Milan criteria and intermediate stage, but not in patients within Milan criteria. Multivariable analysis identified PA-TACE as a significantly favorable factor of OS and DFS for patients beyond Milan criteria, but not for those within Milan criteria. CONCLUSION: PA-TACE could be beneficial for patients who have HCC with MVI beyond Milan criteria, but not for those within Milan criteria.
BACKGROUND: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a powerful predictor of recurrence in patients who undergo liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) in HCC patients with MVI, and further select potential patients benefitting from PA-TACE. METHODS:Patients who had HCC with MVI and underwent liver resection between September 2004 and December 2015 were identified for further analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients treated with and without PA-TACE. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize inter-group differences. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with HCC and MVI were included. In both the entire and propensity-matched cohorts, OS and DFS were higher in PA-TACE group than non-TACE group (all P < 0.05). In subgroup analyses, PA-TACE showed efficacy in improving OS and DFS in HCC patients at early stage beyond Milan criteria and intermediate stage, but not in patients within Milan criteria. Multivariable analysis identified PA-TACE as a significantly favorable factor of OS and DFS for patients beyond Milan criteria, but not for those within Milan criteria. CONCLUSION:PA-TACE could be beneficial for patients who have HCC with MVI beyond Milan criteria, but not for those within Milan criteria.