Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2025
A Hepatocellular Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Xenograft Model to Investigate Impact of Liver Regeneration on Tumor Growth
Published on: February 2, 2024
Does hypointense HCC in the Hepatobiliary Phase at Gadoxetate-Enhanced MRI Predict Recurrence After Surgery? A
Fernanda A Braga1, Ulysses S Torres2, Wagner Iared1
1Department of Radiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rationale And Objectives:
The aim of the current study was to investigate whether hypointense hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at pretreatment is a potential prognostic marker for tumor recurrence within 3 years after surgery conducted for a curative purpose (resection or liver transplantation).
Materials And Methods:
Systematic review was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases. Original articles focused on evaluating HCC signal intensity (SI) in HBP, as well as recurrence at least 3 years after surgery were included in the study. Odds ratio (OR) was measured based on the inverse variance method and the random-effects model. The Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the quality of the included articles.
Results:
Five studies with 718 patients, in total, were analyzed. The odds ratio of disease recurrence in patients with hypointense HCC in the HBP, within 3 years after surgery, was 3.12 times higher than that observed in patients with hyperintense HCC in the HBP (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.27-7.68; p = 0.01). Heterogeneity was classified as intermediate (I2 = 52%). Articles included in the review overall presented a low risk of bias.
Conclusion:
Hypointense HCC in the HBP on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at pretreatment has increased the likelihood of tumor recurrence in patients subjected to resection or liver transplantation. HCC SI in the HBP is a potential non-invasive imaging biomarker associated with patient prognosis.
