Preoperative prediction of early recurrence of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (≤5 cm) by visceral adipose tissue index.

Abstract

Background:

This study aimed to investigate whether visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) is a significant risk factor for the early recurrence (ER) of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤5 cm) after hepatectomy.

Methods:

The recruited cohort patients who were positive for hepatitis B virus, presented with surgically confirmed HCC (≤5 cm) from Army Medical University (internal training cohort: n = 192) and Chongqing Medical University (external validation group: n = 46). We measured VATI, subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) via computed tomography (CT). ER was defined as recurrence within 2 years after hepatectomy. The impact of parameters on outcome after hepatectomy for HCC was analyzed.

Results:

Univariate analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein levels (p = 0.044), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), SATI (p < 0.001), and VATI (p < 0.001) were significantly different between ER and non-ER groups in internal training cohort. Multivariate analysis identified VATI as an independent risk factor for ER (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.047-1.094, p < 0.001), with a AUC of 0.802, based on the cut-off value of VATI, which was divided into high risk (≥37.45 cm2/m2) and low risk (<37.45 cm2/m2) groups. The prognosis of low risk group was significantly higher than that of high risk group (p < 0.001). The AUC value of VATI in external validation group was 0.854.

Conclusion:

VATI was an independent risk factor for the ER, and higher VATI was closely related to poor outcomes after hepatectomy for HBV-related HCC (≤5 cm).

• Authors: Zong-Qian Wu, Jie Cheng, Xi-Xi Xiao, Hua-Rong Zhang, Jian Wang, Juan Peng, Chen Liu, Ping Cai, Xiao-Ming Li
• Journal: Frontiers in surgery (Front Surg) Vol. 9 Pg. 985168 ( 2022) ISSN: 2296-875X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 36684155 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023 Wu, Cheng, Xiao, Zhang, Wang, Peng, Liu, Cai and Li.