Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth Kinetics and Outcomes After Transarterial Embolization: A Single-Center Analysis
Ken Zhao1, Harrison Blume1, Elena N Petre1
1Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Cancers
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Rapidly growing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), indicated by a short tumor volume doubling time (TVDT), is linked to worse survival after transarterial embolization (TAE). Genetic mutations did not correlate with faster HCC growth.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary oncology
- Interventional radiology
- Cancer genomics
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with significant global impact.
- Transarterial embolization (TAE) is a common treatment for unresectable HCC.
- Understanding factors influencing treatment response and survival is crucial for HCC management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) and clinical outcomes in HCC patients treated with TAE.
- To evaluate the impact of tumor genotype on TVDT in HCC.
- To identify prognostic factors for survival following TAE for HCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of treatment-naïve HCC patients undergoing TAE.
- TVDT calculated using Schwartz's equation from baseline cross-sectional imaging.
- Next-generation sequencing performed for genetic mutation analysis.
- Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses used for survival assessment.
Main Results:
- Shorter TVDT (≤ 2.5 months) was associated with worse overall survival (OS) after TAE (p=0.011).
- Predictors of worse OS included TVDT ≤ 2.5 months, ECOG performance score 1-2, and AFP > 200 ng/mL.
- Multiple HCC tumors (≥5) predicted worse local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) (p=0.002).
- No specific genetic mutation was found to be associated with shorter TVDT.
Conclusions:
- Rapid tumor growth, indicated by shorter TVDT, may predict poorer OS in HCC patients treated with TAE.
- Tumor genotype does not appear to be a significant factor in the rate of HCC growth (TVDT).
- TVDT is a potential prognostic marker for HCC patients undergoing TAE.
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