The effect of overweight status on the short-term and 20-y outcomes after hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Short-term outcomes of robotic versus open hepatectomy among overweight patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

Robotic hepatectomy (RH) has gradually been accepted as it has overcome some of the limitations of open hepatectomy (OH). This study was to compare short-term outcomes in RH and OH for overweight (preoperative body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m²) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Perioperative and postoperative data from these patients who underwent RH or OH between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to determine the impact of RH versus OH on the prognosis of overweight HCC patients.

RESULTS

All 304 overweight HCC patients were included, 172 who were underwent RH, and 132 who were underwent OH. After the 1:1 PSM, there were 104 patients in both RH and OH groups. After PSM, the RH group of patients had a shorter operative time, less estimated blood loss (EBL), a longer total clamping time, a shorter postoperative length of stay (LOS), less chance of surgical site infection and less rates of blood transfusion (all P < 0.05) compared to the OH patients. The differences between operative time, EBL and LOS were more significant in obese patients. RH was found to be an independent protective factor of EBL ≥ 400ml relative to OH in overweight patients for the first time.

CONCLUSIONS

RH was safe and feasible in overweight HCC patients. Compared with OH, RH has advantages in terms of operative time, EBL, postoperative LOS, and surgical site infection. Carefully selected overweight patients should be considered for RH.

Body mass index and surgical outcomes in laparoscopic liver resections: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection is gaining momentum; however, there is limited evidence on its efficacy and safety in obese patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BMI and outcomes after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) using a systematic review of the existing literature.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline (Ovid 1946-present), PubMed (NCBI), Embase (Ovid 1966-present) and Cochrane Library was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement for parameters of LLR and BMI. Operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 1460 abstracts, seven retrospective studies were analysed, published between 2015 and 2017 (study periods 1998-2017). Total patient cohort were classified as 481 obese and 1180 non-obese with a median age range of 42.5-69.4 years. Variations existed in definitions of obesity (Asia BMI >25 kg/m² , Western BMI >30 kg/m² ). Rates of conversion were examined in four studies (0-31%) with one reporting BMI >28 kg/m² as an independent risk factor. Estimated blood loss and transfusion rates were similar. Operative time was increased in obese patients in one study (P = 0.02). Mortality rates ranged from 0% to 4.3% with no difference between BMI classes. No difference in major morbidity was demonstrated. Bile leak rates were increased in obese groups in one study (0-3.44%, P < 0.05). Wound infections were reported in five studies, with higher rates in obese patients (0-5.8% versus 0-1.9%). Tumour size was comparable in both groups. Completeness of resection was analysed in four studies with one study reporting increased R0 rates in obese patients (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review highlights that current evidence shows LLR in obese patients is safe, however, further studies are required.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-a review of an emerging challenge facing clinicians

Importance

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rapidly growing cause of chronic liver disease and is becoming a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in many developed countries. This presents major challenges for the surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Objective

To discuss the clinical challenges faced by clinicians in managing the rising number of NAFLD-HCC cases.

Evidence Review

MEDLINE, PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the keywords; NAFLD, HCC, surveillance, hepatectomy, liver transplantation, percutaneous ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), selective internal radiotherapy treatment (SIRT) and sorafenib. Relevant clinical studies were included.

Findings

Current HCC surveillance programmes are inadequate because they only screen for HCC in patients with cirrhosis, whereas in NAFLD a significant proportion of HCC develops in the absence of cirrhosis. Consequently NAFLD patients often present with a more advanced stage of HCC, with a poorer prognosis. NAFLD-HCC patients also tend to be older and to have more co-morbidities compared to HCC of other etiologies. This limits the use of curative treatments such as liver resection and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Evidence suggests that although NAFLD-HCC patients who undergo liver resection or OLT have worse perioperative and short-term outcomes, overall long-term survival is comparable to HCC of other etiologies. This highlights the importance of careful patient selection, pre-habilitation and perioperative planning for NAFLD-HCC patients being considered for surgical treatment. Careful consideration is also important for non-surgical treatments, although the evidence supporting treatment selection is frequently lacking, as these patients tend to be poorly represented in clinical trials. Locoregional therapies such as percutaneous ablation and TACE may be less well tolerated and less effective in NAFLD patients with obesity or diabetes. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib may also be less effective.

Conclusions and Relevance

This review highlights how international guidelines, for which NAFLD traditionally has made up a small part of the evidence base, may not be appropriate for all NAFLD-HCC patients. Future guidelines need to reflect the changing landscape of HCC, by making specific recommendations for the management of NAFLD-HCC.

A Practical Model is Equivalent to the BALAD or BALAD-2 Score in Predicting Long-term Survival after Hepatectomy in Chinese Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of the BALAD and BALAD-2 scores on long-term survival after hepatectomy in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and to attempt to establish a more practical or effective model.

Methods: A total of 251 HCC patients underwent hepatectomy were recruited. The BALAD and BALAD-2 scores were calculated with total bilirubin, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin. The associations of the two scores and their components with the overall survival were analyzed. Finally, three prediction models were explored and constructed.

Results: We observed that HCC patients had 5-year survival rates that worsened with increasement of BALAD and BALAD-2 scores. The BALAD and BALAD-2 scores demonstrated fine value in predicting overall survival with Harrell-C statistics of 0.665 (0.618-0.712) and 0.603 (0.554-0.636). After two variables, largest tumor size and BMI, were included in BALAD [0.720 (0.671-0.769)] or BALAD-2 [0.701 (0.649-0.751)] multivariate models, the Harrell-C statistic increased significantly than BALAD (P=0.048) or BALAD-2 (P<0.001) alone. Taking into account availability and expense, an equivalent BAA-BS model was established based on total bilirubin, albumin, AFP, BMI and largest tumor size. The Harrell-C statistic of BAA-BS model [0.723(0.674-0.772)] was similar to that of BALAD (P=0.820) or BALAD-2 (P=0.209) multivariate model. And, the continuous net reclassification index and integrated discriminatory improvement were not statistically different. Finally, a nomogram of the equivalent BAA-BS model was constructed to assist surgeons and patients in predicting 5-year survival rates.

Conclusion: Both BALAD and BALAD-2 scores were highly suitable for predicting long-term survival after hepatectomy in Chinese HCC patients. A significant increase in predictive efficacy was observed after the addition of largest tumor size and BMI to BALAD or BALAD-2 score. Even if AFP-L3 and DCP are not detected, an equivalent BAA-BS model also obtained an excellent discriminatory performance.

A novel online calculator based on albumin-bilirubin and aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index for predicting postoperative morbidity following hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Email

zhangchengwuzr@hotmail.com; Prof. Tian Yang, MD. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China. Email: yangtiandfgd@hotmail.com.

Background

Identifying patients at high risks of developing postoperative morbidity is important to improve perioperative outcomes. We sought to define the accuracy of two objective and non-invasive serological-based scores, i.e., albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), to predict postoperative morbidity among patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and build up a personalized predictive tool for clinical practice.

Methods

Clinical data of patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC at 8 hospitals from a multicenter database were retrospectively analyzed. The predictive accuracy of ALBI and APRI relative to 30-day overall and major morbidity were evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). Based on multivariable logistic regression analyses, preoperative and postoperative nomogram models and consequent online calculators were constructed to predict overall and major morbidity, respectively.

Results

Among 2,301 patients, 725 (31.5%) experienced postoperative complications (major morbidity, 35.9%, 260/725). Multivariable analyses identified high ALBI grade (>−2.6) and APRI grade (>1.5) as independent risk factors associated with overall and major morbidity in both preoperative and postoperative prediction models. Two nomogram predictive models and corresponding online calculators that combined ALBI and APRI were subsequently constructed. The AUCs of the preoperative and postoperative models were 0.728 and 0.742 to predict overall morbidity, and 0.739 and 0.713 to predict major morbidity, respectively, which were much higher than those of Child-Pugh score and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). Using the bootstrap validation method, the resulting models were internally validated well.

Conclusions

Preoperative ALBI and APRI scores can predict postoperative morbidity following hepatectomy for HCC. An easy-to-use online calculator that combined ALBI and APRI was proposed for individually predicting the probabilities of postoperative overall and major morbidity before and immediately after surgery, so as to provide useful information to inform conversations about surgical risks.

Beneficial body mass index to enhance survival outcomes in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma following microwave ablation treatment

Purpose: To identify the beneficial body mass index (BMI) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to achieve longer survival time following curative microwave ablation (MWA).Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 474 patients with solitary primary HCC who underwent MWA. BMI at initial admission and other characteristics were collected. The associations of the BMI with the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in multiple models. A two-piecewise linear regression model was applied to examine the threshold effect of the BMI on OS and DFS by maximized log likelihood method. The threshold level was determined by using trial and error.Results: Patients with a normal BMI range achieved improved survival outcomes but similar DFS in multiple models. In the model with adjustments of the age, size, and Charlson score, patients with BMI ≤ 22.9 and ≤24.9 kg/m² exhibited a lower death rate than patients with BMI ≤18.5 kg/m² (p < 0.05). U-shaped relationships between the BMI and OS were illustrated when the BMI was set as a continuous variable. The death prevalence decreased with an increasing BMI up to the first turning point of 21.5 and increased with an increasing BMI up to the second turning point of 23.1 (p = 0.00). The threshold effect analysis indicated that no turning point was selected in the DFS results (p = 0.10).Conclusions: The beneficial BMI level for HCC patients following MWA, with a more likely favorable survival outcome, is 21.5 to 23.1 kg/m².

Obesity and liver cancer

Obesity prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. It is associated with huge economic and health costs due to its clinical consequences, which includes increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and development of different malignancies. In particular, obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, obesity is highly prevalent in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is becoming one of the most frequent causes of liver disease worldwide. NAFLD-related HCC is the most rapidly growing indication for liver transplantation in many countries. The higher mortality rates found in obese HCC patients might be related not only to a worse outcome after HCC treatments, but also to a delayed diagnosis related to a low frequency and a poorer quality of abdominal ultrasonography surveillance that is the test universally used for HCC screening. Given its diffusion, obesity is frequently present in patients with chronic liver diseases related to different etiologies, and in these cases it may increase the HCC risk, acting as an additional co-factor. Indeed, growing evidence demonstrates that a healthy diet and regular physical activity may have an impact in reducing the overall HCC risk. Finally, an impact of obesity in the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has been postulated, but more extensive studies are needed to definitively confirm this association.

Association between preoperative prealbumin level and postoperative mortality and morbidity after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study from a HBV-endemic area

BACKGROUND

Prealbumin is a more sensitive serum biomarker in reflecting liver function and nutritional status than albumin, because of its shorter half-life and its characteristics that could hardly be affected by supplemental venous infusion of albumin or blood transfusion. This study aimed to identify whether preoperative prealbumin level was associated with postoperative mortality and morbidity after hepatic resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

From a Chinese multicenter database, patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC were divided into the low and normal prealbumin groups by using 17 mg/dL as the cut-off level for serum prealbumin taken within a week before surgery. Using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, independent predictors associated with postoperative 30-day and 90-day mortality, 30-day overall and major morbidity, and postoperative hepatic insufficiency were identified.

RESULTS

Among 1356 patients, 409 (30.2%) had a low preoperative prealbumin level. Postoperative 30-day and 90-day mortality, and 30-day overall and major morbidity in the low prealbumin group were significantly higher than the normal prealbumin group (2.9% vs. 0.5%, 5.1% vs. 1.5%, 35.7% vs. 18.4%, and 14.4% vs. 6.5%, respectively, all P < 0.001). Multivariable analyses identified that preoperative prealbumin level, but not albumin level, was independently associated with postoperative 30-day mortality (OR: 3.486, 95% CI: 1.184-10.265), 90-day mortality (2.504, 1.219-5.145), 30-day overall morbidity (1.727, 1.302-2.292), 30-day major morbidity (1.770, 1.155-2.711) and postoperative hepatic insufficiency (1.967, 1.119-3.427).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative prealbumin level could be used to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality for patients treated with hepatic resection for HCC.

Impact of overweightness and critical weight loss on overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization

BACKGROUND

The effects of overweightness and weight loss on the development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of overweightness and weight loss on the survival of patients with intermediate/advanced HCC receiving chemoembolization as initial treatment.

METHODS

We examined 1,170 patients who underwent chemoembolization as initial treatment for Barcelona-Clínic Liver Cancer stages B and C HCC at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China) between December 2009 and May 2015. A baseline body mass index (BMI) of ≥23 kg/m² was defined as overweight, and body-weight loss of ≥5.0% from baseline was defined as critical weight loss (CWL). Cox regression analysis was used to determine the association between overweightness or CWL and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The median survival time was 16.8 (95% confidence interval, 13.9-19.7) months and 11.1 (95% confidence interval, 10.0-12.2) months in the overweight and non-overweight groups (log-rank test, P < 0.001), respectively. Cox multivariate analysis identified overweightness as an independent protective prognostic factor for OS (P < 0.001). Subgroup stratification analysis revealed a significant association between overweightness and survival among patients receiving further treatment (P = 0.005), but not in those not receiving further treatment (P = 0.683). Multivariate analysis showed that both overweightness and CWL were independent prognostic factors for OS among patients receiving further treatment.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with intermediate- or advanced-stage HCC initially treated with chemoembolization, overweightness was associated with longer OS. Furthermore, CWL was an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS in patients receiving additional treatment.

Association between body mass index and postoperative morbidity after liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study of 1,324 patients

BACKGROUND

Morbidity remains a common problem following hepatic resection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between preoperative body mass index (BMI) and morbidity in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Patients were divided into three groups according to preoperative BMI: low-BMI (≤18.4 kg/m²), normal-BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and high-BMI (≥25.0 kg/m²). Baseline characteristics, operative variables, postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity were compared. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with postoperative morbidity.

RESULTS

Among 1324 patients, 108 (8.2%), 733 (55.4%), and 483 (36.5%) were low-BMI, normal-BMI, and high-BMI, respectively. There were no differences in postoperative 30-day mortality among patients based on BMI (P = 0.199). Postoperative 30-day morbidity was, however, higher in low-BMI and high-BMI patients versus patients with a normal-BMI (33.3% and 32.1% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively). Following multivariable analysis low-BMI and high-BMI remained independently associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity (OR: 1.701, 95%CI: 1.060-2.729, P = 0.028, and OR: 1.491, 95%CI: 1.131-1.966, P = 0.005, respectively). Similar results were noted in the incidence of postoperative 30-day surgical site infection (SSI).

CONCLUSION

Compared with normal-BMI patients, low-BMI and high-BMI patients had higher postoperative morbidity, including a higher incidence of SSI after liver resection for HCC.

Clinical conditions and treatment requirements for long-term survival among hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization

OBJECTIVE

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended to treat intermediate/advanced stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the overall survival among initially TACE-treated patients varies significantly. The clinical characterization of long-term survival following TACE remains uncertain. We sought to identify clinical parameters and treatment requirements for long-term survival among patients with hepatitis B-related HCC who were initially treated with TACE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The included patients with HCC were admitted to our cancer center between December 2009 and May 2015. Patients who survived for >3 years were compared with those who died within 3 years. The clinical and laboratory findings that were associated with the survival were also analyzed.

RESULTS

One in six (17.9%) patients with HCC in this cohort survived for > 3 years after TACE. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23kg/m² , aspartate aminotransferase levels ≤ 40 U/L, an activated partial thromboplastin time ≤ 34 seconds, α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≤ 25 ng/mL, antiviral therapy, tumor size ≤ 8 cm, solitary nodule, and the absence of vascular invasion were independently favorably associated with a 3-year survival. An absence of vascular invasion was the only independent factor associated with 3-year survival in patients who received resection and/or ablation after TACE.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, a 3-year survival was associated with BMI, antivirus treatment, tumor status, hepatic function, and AFP level. Distant metastasis did not negatively impact the long-term survival among patients with hepatitis B-related HCC initially treated with TACE. Vascular invasion was the single impediment to long-term survival in patients who received add-on resection and/or ablation after TACE.

Multicentre study of the prognostic impact of preoperative bodyweight on long-term prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Whether preoperative bodyweight is associated with long-term prognosis in patients after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of patient weight with long-term recurrence and overall survival (OS) after curative liver resection for HCC.

METHODS

Data for patients with HCC who underwent curative liver resection between 2000 and 2015 in five centres in China were analysed retrospectively in three groups according to their preoperative BMI: underweight (BMI 18·4 kg/m² or less), normal weight (BMI 18·5-24·9 kg/m² ) and overweight (BMI 25·0 kg/m² or above). Patients' baseline characteristics, operative variables and long-term survival outcomes were compared. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after resection.

RESULTS

Of 1524 patients, 107 (7·0 per cent) were underweight, 891 (58·5 per cent) were of normal weight and 526 (34·5 per cent) were overweight. Univariable analyses showed that underweight and overweight patients had poorer OS (both P < 0·001) and RFS (both P < 0·001) than patients of normal weight. Multivariable Cox regression analysis also identified both underweight and overweight to be independent risk factors for OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1·22, 95 per cent c.i. 1·19 to 1·56, P = 0·019; and HR 1·57, 1·36 to 1·81, P < 0·001, respectively) and RFS (HR 1·28, 1·16 to 1·53, P = 0·028; and HR 1·34, 1·17 to 1·54, P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

Underweight and overweight patients appear to have a worse prognosis than those of normal weight following liver resection for HCC.

The impact of obesity in cirrhotic patients with septic shock: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The prevalence of obesity in cirrhosis is rising. The impact of obesity in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis/septic shock has not been evaluated. This study aimed to examine the relationship between obesity and mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted to the intensive care unit with septic shock.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of all cirrhotic patients with septic shock (n = 362) and a recorded body mass index (BMI) from an international, multicentre (CATSS) database (1996-2015) was performed. Patients were classified by BMI as per WHO categories. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine independent associations with outcome.

RESULTS

In this analysis, mean age was 56.4 years, and 62% were male. Median BMI was 26.3%, and 57.7% were overweight/obese. In-hospital mortality was 71%. Obese patients were more likely to have comorbidities of cardiac disease, lung disease and diabetes. Compared to survivors (n = 105), non-survivors (n = 257) had significantly higher MELD and APACHEII scores and higher requirements for renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation (P < .03 for all). Using multivariable logistic regression, increase in BMI (OR 1.07, P = .034), time delay to appropriate antimicrobials (OR 1.16 per hour, P = .003), APACHEII (OR 1.12 per unit, P = .008) and peak lactate (OR 1.15, P = .028) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Septic shock in cirrhosis carries a high mortality. Increased BMI is common in critically ill cirrhotic patients and independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality.

Body mass index and cholesterol level predict surgical outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan - a cohort study

Curative surgical resection (CSR) remains the most effective therapeutic intervention for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, frequent post-surgical recurrence leads to high cancer related mortality. This study aimed to clarify the role of body mass index (BMI) and serum cholesterol level in predicting post-surgical outcomes in HCC patients after CSR. A total of 484 HCC patients including 213 BMI^high and 271 BMI^low patients were included. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were examined in patients with differential BMI and serum cholesterol level. The analysis showed that significant different 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative OS rates (P-value=0.015) and RFS rate (P-value=0.010) between BMI^low and BMI^high patients. Further analysis in groups with differential serum cholesterol levels among BMI^low and BMI^high patients indicated that the BMI^low/Chol^low patients exhibited the significant lower cumulative OS and RFS rates in comparison with the remaining subjects (P-value=0.007 and 0.039 for OS and RFS rates, respectively). In conclusion, the coexistence of low BMI and low serum cholesterol level could serve as prognostic factors to predict post-operative outcomes in HCC patients undergoing surgical hepatectomy.

Differential significance of early surgical complications for acute and long-term recurrence-free survival following surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: do comorbidities play a role?

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or more are of prognostic significance in patients who undergo liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, perioperative mortality and patient comorbidities represent relevant factors that interfere with postoperative long-term survival. To clarify this, a retrospective single-center study was carried out.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patient data were prospectively collected in a continuously updated liver resection database. Overall, 184 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for HCC with a curative intent between March 2003 and December 2013 were selected for the study. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Pre-existing comorbidities, perioperative mortality, surgical outcome, and long-term survival data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications requiring revision surgery were identified in 17.4% of the patients. The in-house mortality rate was 4.8%. Compared with patients without complications, patients with complications were older and had significantly more pre-existing comorbidities, more advanced tumors, more intrahepatic metastasis, longer operation times, greater blood loss, and more extensive resections. The overall 5-year survival rates were 40.1 and 52.5% in patients with or without postoperative complications, respectively. The corresponding 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 46.3 and 46.7% (perioperative mortality excluded). Multivariate analysis showed that elevation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index was associated independently with decreased overall and recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HCC, posthepatectomy complications are confirmed to have predictive value. However, closer analysis and exclusion of perioperative mortality effects show an independent impact of pre-existing comorbidities on long-term overall und recurrence-free survival.

Obesity and Liver Cancer

Obesity and related metabolic disorders have become globally prevalent posing a challenge for the chronically damaged liver and predisposing the development and progression of cancer. The rising phenomenon of "obesity epidemic" may provide means for understanding why liver cancer is one of the few malignancies with rising incidence in developed countries over the last decades. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes is an increasingly recognized trigger for liver cancer in Western populations characterized by low prevalence of established risk factors for liver cancer such as viral hepatitis and hepatotoxin exposure. Accumulating evidence has established an association between higher body mass index as an indicator of general obesity and higher risk of primary liver cancer. The associations are stronger in men, in patients with underlying liver disease and in white ethnic groups. Abdominal obesity, weight gain in adult life and metabolic factors related to visceral fat accumulation were also suggested as important risk factors for liver cancer; however, more studies are needed to evaluate these associations. The association of obesity and metabolic parameters with liver cancer survival remains controversial. It is unclear which exact mechanisms could provide links between obesity and liver cancer risk. Recent evidence has implicated several molecular pathways in obesity-associated liver cancer. These include insulin resistance leading to increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factors, chronic inflammation, adipose tissue remodeling, pro-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine secretion, and altered gut microbiota. These mechanisms coincide with inflammatory and metabolic processes occurring in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease predisposing cancer development and progression. In the context of the current evidence, better understanding of the role of obesity and related metabolic factors may help in improving current strategies for liver cancer prevention.

The Association Between Body Mass Index and the Prognosis and Postoperative Complications of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

Previous studies have reported the association between excess body mass index (BMI) and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether BMI is associated with the prognosis and postoperative complications of HCC is still not clear.We searched PubMed and Embase for relevant studies published until the date of August 30, 2014. Additional studies were manually identified by searching reference lists of retrieved articles. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs for postoperative complications were calculated using random effects or fixed effects models according to heterogeneities between studies.A total of 14 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that excess BMI was not significantly associated with improved OS (HR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.74-1.19, P = 0.588) or DFS (HR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.79-1.10, P = 0.382). In addition, higher BMI was not associated with increased rate of a number of complications including ascites (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.94-1.65, P = 0.119), bile leaks (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.81-1.83, P = 0.345), and 30-day mortality (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.57-1.96, P = 0.871). However, HCC patients with higher BMI had increased incidence of wound infections (RR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.28-3.68, P = 0.004).BMI was not an independent prognostic factor for the evaluation of the prognosis in HCC patients, and it was not associated with postoperative complications except for wound infections that as significantly associated with higher BMI scores.

Postoperative complications are predictive of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

A retrospective study was performed at some high-volume institutions to clarify the prognostic significance of postoperative complications in patients who had undergone hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). No published studies have investigated the relationship between postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III or more and prognosis in patients who have undergone hepatic resection.

METHODS

Patient data were retrospectively collected for 966 consecutive patients who had undergone hepatectomy for HCC with curative intent between January 2004 and December 2012. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the presence of postoperative complications. Clinicopathologic, surgical outcome, and long-term survival data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Hospital deaths occurred in nine patients (0.9%). Postoperative complications were identified in 165 patients (17.1%). Compared with patients without complications, patients with complications had significantly larger tumors, more advanced-stage tumors, more poorly differentiated tumors, more intrahepatic metastasis, longer operation time, greater blood loss, more blood transfusion, and more anatomic resection and combined resection. The overall 5-y survival rates were 48.6% in patients with postoperative complications and 73.2% in patients without them. The 5-y recurrence-free survival rates were 23.7% in patients with postoperative complications and 36.7% in patients without them. Multivariate analysis revealed that longer operation time and lower serum albumin level of albumin were independent predictive factors for occurrence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HCC, posthepatectomy complications are predictive of a worse overall survival, even when adjustments have been made for other known predictors.

Obesity Does Not Influence Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients following Curative Hepatectomy

Background

Whether obesity affects surgical outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. Here we retrospectively evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes in HCC patients after curative hepatectomy.

Methods

Patients with Child-Pugh A liver function who underwent curative hepatectomy between 2006 and 2010 were categorized as obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m², n = 68) and non-obese (<25 kg/m², n = 242). To reduce interference from baseline differences between the two groups, propensity score-matched analysis was performed in the ratio 1:2 using a caliper width of 0.1. Surgical outcomes were compared for 61 obese and 115 non-obese patients.

Results

Obese patients had higher levels of albumin and aspartate aminotransferase, and more solitary tumors compared to the non-obese patients (all P<0.05). In the propensity-matched cohort, baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups (all P>0.05). Obese and non-obese patients had comparable 30-day mortality (1.6% vs. 2.6%, P = 1.000), 90-day mortality (3.3% vs. 4.3%, P = 1.000), and incidence of postoperative complications (19.7% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.819). Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was similar for obese patients (83.6%, 63.6%, 41.6%) as for non-obese patients (80.9%, 65.9%, 49.1%; P = 0.358). Disease-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was also similar for obese patients (71.5%, 36.3%, 24.3%) as for non-obese ones (60.2%, 43.7%, 27.7%; P = 0.969).

Conclusion

Our propensity score-matched analysis strengthens the case that obesity does not adversely affect surgical outcomes of HCC patients undergoing curative hepatectomy.

Liver resection in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical outcomes and safety in overweight and obese patients

Objective and Background

Although many studies on evaluating the safety of liver resection in obese patients have been conducted, the results remain contradictory. The aim of our study was to investigate the safety of overweight and obese patients undergoing liver resection for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma in a large sample.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort with 1543 hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients, the subjects were stratified into four groups according to their body mass index(BMI): obesity(BMI≥28), overweight(BMI:24.0–27.9), normal weight(BMI:18.5–23.9) and underweight(BMI<18.5). The Dindo–Clavien classification system was used for grading complications. Clinical characteristics and operative outcomes were compared among the four groups. Risk factors for postoperative complications were evaluated by multivariate analysis.

Results

According to the category criteria of the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) criteria, 73(4.7%) obese, 412(26.7%) overweight, 982(63.6%) normal weight and 76(4.9%) underweight patients were included in our cohort. Overweight and obese patients had more preoperative comorbidities such as hypertension(P<0.001). Mortality, total complications and complications classified by Clavien system were similar among the four groups except that the underweight patients had fewer total complications. However, postoperative wound complication was more common in overweight and obese patients(6.3% vs 2.5%,P<0.001,11.0% vs 2.5%,P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI was not an independently significant factor for postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Liver resection for obese and overweight patients is safe and BMI itself is not a risk factor for mortality and morbidity.