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Using transient elastography to predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after radiofrequency ablation
Author(s) -
Lee Yu Rim,
Park Soo Young,
Kim Seung Up,
Jang Se Young,
Tak Won Young,
Kweon Young Oh,
Kim Beom Kyung,
Park Jun Yong,
Kim Do Young,
Ahn Sang Hoon,
Han KwangHyub,
Hur Keun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.13644
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , transient elastography , hazard ratio , radiofrequency ablation , cirrhosis , proportional hazards model , gastroenterology , confidence interval , population , elastography , ablation , radiology , ultrasound , liver fibrosis , environmental health
Abstract Background and Aim Liver stiffness (LS) value determined using transient elastography (TE) can be used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis. The study investigated whether TE can predict the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods This study retrospectively enrolled 228 patients with HCC who received TE and RFA as the first‐line treatment for HCC between 2008 and 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of HCC recurrence. Results The median age of the study population (170 men and 58 women) was 61 years. During the study period, HCC recurrence and mortality developed in 125 (54.8%) and 37 (16.2%) patients after RFA, respectively. Liver cirrhosis, platelet count, multiple tumors, and LS value were the independent predictors of HCC recurrence. When the study population was stratified into early (< 12 months) and late (≥ 12 months) recurrence groups, LS value was an independent predictor of late recurrence, along with liver cirrhosis and spleen diameter. The risk of late recurrence was higher in patients with LS values of ≥ 13 kPa than in those with LS values of < 13 kPa (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 4.507, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.131–7.724, P < 0.001). Recurrence was the only predictor of overall survival (HR = 18.583, 95% CI 2.424–142.486, P = 0.005). Conclusions Findings of this study suggest that LS measurement using TE can be a useful predictor of HCC recurrence after RFA.