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Ho SY, Yuan MH, Liu PH, Hsu CY, Huang YH, Liao JI, Su CW, Wang CL, Hou MC, Huo TI. Cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma: characteristics, outcome, and prognostic role of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade vs easy ALBI grade. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:61-69. [PMID: 35830511 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2098052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The characteristics and prognosis of cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade and its updated version, the easy ALBI (EZ-ALBI) grade, are important prognostic predictors for HCC. We aimed to investigate the long-term survival of patients with cryptogenic HCC and the prognostic role of ALBI and EZ-ALBI grade in these patients. METHODS A prospective cohort of 2,937 HCC patients with viral or cryptogenic etiology were retrospectively analyzed. The multivariate Cox model was used to determine prognostic predictors. RESULTS Cryptogenic HCC patients were often older and diabetic, had lower serum ɑ-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, larger tumor burden, poor performance status, advanced cancer stage, and received non-curative treatments compared with hepatitis B or C-related HCC. The Cox analysis showed that age > 65 years, serum AFP > 400 ng/mL, presence of vascular invasion or distant metastasis, presence of ascites, performance status 2-4, ALBI grade 2 and 3, EZ-ALBI grade 2 and 3, and non-curative treatment, were independent predictors of decreased survival in cryptogenic HCC (p < .001). Significant survival differences were found across ALBI grade and EZ-ALBI grade in cryptogenic HCC and subgroup patients receiving curative or non-curative treatments. The Cancer of Liver Italian Program was the best staging system for patients with cryptogenic HCC. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cryptogenic HCC have a larger tumor burden and advanced cancer stage at disease presentation compared with those with viral HCC. The ALBI and EZ-ALBI score are robust models to evaluate liver functional reserve for these patients independent of treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yein Ho
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsia Yuan
- National Health Insurance Administration, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hong Liu
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Chia-Yang Hsu
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-I Liao
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wei Su
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Hou
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teh-Ia Huo
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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