Clinical and survival outcomes after hepatectomy in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

An Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Focusing on Non-Cirrhotic NAFLD Patients: A Challenge for Physicians

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease worldwide and it ranges from simple steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC represents the first liver tumor and the third source of cancer death. In the next few years, the prevalence of NAFLD and consequently of HCC is estimated to increase, becoming a major public health problem. The NAFLD-HCC shows several differences compared to other causes of chronic liver disease (CLD), including the higher percentage of patients that develop HCC in the absence of liver cirrhosis. In HCC surveillance, the international guidelines suggest a six months abdominal ultrasound (US), with or without alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) evaluation, in patients with cirrhosis and in a subgroup of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. However, this screening program reveals several limitations, especially in NAFLD patients. Thus, new biomarkers and scores have been proposed to overcome the limits of HCC surveillance. In this narrative review we aimed to explore the differences in the HCC features between NAFLD and non-NAFLD patients, and those between NAFLD-HCC developed in the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver. Finally, we focused on the limits of tumor surveillance in NAFLD patients, and we explored the new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Is metabolic syndrome a risk factor in hepatectomy? A meta-analysis with subgroup analysis for histologically confirmed hepatic manifestations

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor in surgery. MetS can progress to metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a vast-growing etiology of primary liver tumors which are major indications for liver surgery. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of MetS on complications and long-term outcomes after hepatectomy.

METHODS

The protocol for this meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO prior to data extraction. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for publications on liver resections and MetS. Comparative studies were included. Outcomes encompassed postoperative complications, mortality, and long-term oncologic status. Data were pooled as odds ratio (OR) with a random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS), and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated with GRADE. Subgroup analyses for patients with histopathologically confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) versus controls were performed.

RESULTS

The meta-analyses included fifteen comparative studies. Patients with MetS suffered significantly more overall complications (OR 1.55; 95% CI [1.05; 2.29]; p=0.03), major complications (OR 1.97 95% CI [1.13; 3.43]; p=0.02; I²=62%), postoperative hemorrhages (OR 1.76; 95% CI [1.23; 2.50]; p=0.01) and infections (OR 1.63; 95% CI [1.03; 2.57]; p=0.04). There were no significant differences in mortality, recurrence, 1- or 5-year overall or recurrence-free survivals. Patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD did not have significantly more overall complications; however, PHLF rates were increased (OR 4.87; 95% CI [1.22; 19.47]; p=0.04). Recurrence and survival outcomes did not differ significantly. The certainty of the evidence for each outcome ranged from low to very low.

CONCLUSION

Patients with MetS that undergo liver surgery suffer more complications, such as postoperative hemorrhage and infection but not liver-specific complications-PHLF and biliary leakage. Histologically confirmed NAFLD is associated with significantly higher PHLF rates, yet, survivals of these patients are similar to patients without the MetS. Further studies should focus on identifying the tipping point for increased risk in patients with MetS-associated liver disease, as well as reliable markers of MAFLD stages and early markers of PHLF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Nr: CRD42021253768.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical challenges of an intriguing link

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common liver disorder worldwide mainly attributed to the epidemic spread of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although it is considered a benign disease, NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most data regarding the epidemiology of NAFLD-related HCC are derived from cohort and population studies and show that its incidence is increasing as well as it is likely to emerge as the leading indication for liver transplantation, especially in the Western World. Although cirrhosis constitutes the main risk factor for HCC development, in patients with NAFLD, HCC can arise in the absence of cirrhosis, indicating specific carcinogenic molecular pathways. Since NAFLD as an underlying liver disease for HCC is often underdiagnosed due to lack of sufficient surveillance in this population, NAFLD-HCC patients are at advanced HCC stage at the time of diagnosis making the management of those patients clinically challenging and affecting their prognostic outcomes. In this current review, we summarize the latest literature on the epidemiology, other than liver cirrhosis-pathogenesis, risk factors and prognosis of NAFLD-HCC patients. Finally, we emphasize the prevention of the development of NAFLD-associated HCC and we provide some insight into the open questions and issues regarding the appropriate surveillance policies for those patients.

Outcomes of Liver Resection for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease or Chronic Hepatitis B-Related HCC

Aims

This study aims to determine differences in severity of background liver disease at hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis and long-term survival outcomes among patients undergoing liver resection for HCC in the background of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) compared to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) alone or concurrent CHB (CHB/MAFLD).

Methods

Patient demographics and comorbidities, clinicopathologic data, perioperative and long-term outcomes among patients who underwent liver resection for HCC were reviewed. Overall and recurrence-free survival were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, with the values compared using the log-rank test.

Results

From January 2014 to December 2018, 1325 patients underwent potential curative liver resection of HCC; 67 (5.0%), 176 (13.3%), and 1082 (81.7%) patients had MAFLD alone, CHB concurrent with MAFLD, and CHB alone, respectively. At HCC diagnosis, fewer MAFLD patients had cirrhosis, alpha fetoprotein concentration ≥ 400 ng/mL, tumor size ≥ 5 cm, mulinodular, microvascular invasion, receiving major hepatectomy, and receiving adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization. After a median follow-up of 47 months after liver resection, MAFLD (or MAFLD plus CHB/MAFLD) patients had significantly higher overall and recurrence-free survival than CHB patients before or after propensity score analysis (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with HCC in the setting of MAFLD have less-severe background liver disease at HCC diagnosis and better long-term survival after curative liver resection compared to counterparts with CHB/MAFLD or CHB.