Comprehensive Analysis of Radiologic Cancer-Free Status through Various Treatment Approaches in Advanced-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Introduction: In the realm of oncology, the pinnacle of therapeutic success is achieving a state where the patient is entirely free of cancer, i.e., “cancer free.” This benchmark should not only apply to early-stage malignancies but should also be the standard aim for advanced-stage disea...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Karger Publishers
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Liver Cancer |
| Online Access: | https://karger.com/doi/10.1159/000542577 |
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| Summary: | Introduction: In the realm of oncology, the pinnacle of therapeutic success is achieving a state where the patient is entirely free of cancer, i.e., “cancer free.” This benchmark should not only apply to early-stage malignancies but should also be the standard aim for advanced-stage diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is a glaring gap in the research landscape concerning the understanding of what cancer-free status truly means for advanced-stage HCC. Our study sheds light on the profound implications of reaching a cancer-free by radiologic assessments in patients with advanced-stage HCC. Methods: We established a database tracking the full clinical course of all patients with HCC (from 2003 to 2022). We identified the initial instances of macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic spread. We defined radiologic cancer-free (rCF) as cases in which no recurrence was observed for at least 2 months following curative treatment or complete response to systemic therapies. The frequency of achieving rCF status was investigated, categorized by patients’ background. Results: We identified 795 patients with advanced-stage HCC. The rCF rate was 8.7%. Patients who achieved rCF status had significantly better prognoses compared to those who did not (p < 0.001). In the decision tree analysis, the number of tumors ≥8 was the strongest factor, making it difficult to achieve rCF status. Analysis of stage progression patterns revealed varying background characteristics at the time of advanced-stage diagnosis, with discrepancies in rCF rates. Conclusions: Despite the low rate of achieving rCF status, the prognostic impact was significant. Patients with certain tumor characteristics had a higher likelihood of achieving rCF status. The distribution of tumor conditions varies based on the pattern of progression, which affects the likelihood of achieving an rCF status. |
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| ISSN: | 1664-5553 |