Prediction Of Early Intrahepatic Recurrence Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Resection By CT Features

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of preoperative CT imaging features in predicting early intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection.Methods:137 HCC cases proved by postoperative pathological examinations were enrolled in this study.The preoperative CT imaging features including tumor number,number of invaded hepatic segment,tumor diameter,blood supplies,tumor capsule,tumor margin,peritumoral arterial enhancement and intratumoral necrosis were assessed.The clinical and pathological features including the age,sex,liver cirrhosis,Child-Pugh grade,a-fetoprotein level,tumor differentiation grade and microvascular invasion were recorded.The correlations between the above features and early intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection were analyzed.Results:73 cases underwent early intrahepatic recurrence within one year after curative resection.The control group included 64 cases who relapsed after one year or remained relapse-free during the follow-up.Univariate analysis showed that liver cirrhosis,tumor number,number of invaded hepatic segment,tumor diameter,tumor margin,peritumoral arterial enhancement and intratumoral necrosis were related to the postoperative early intrahepatic recurrence.Multivariate analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis,tumor number(≥2),tumor diameter(>4.35cm)and non-smooth tumor margin were independent factors for postoperative early intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.Conclusion:Preoperative CT imaging features can be applied to predict early intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection.Liver cirrhosis,tumor number(≥2),tumor diameter(>4.35cm)and non-smooth tumor margin are main high risk factors for early intrahepatic recurrence.