A BCLC-based prognostic nomogram for hepatocellular carcinoma: Development and validation

This study aimed to improve prognostic prediction for hepatocellular carcinoma by incorporating additional clinical factors into the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system. A nomogram was developed using retrospective data from 536 patients and validated in an independent cohort of 102 patients. Independent prognostic factors identified by Cox regression included age, alpha-fetoprotein, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage. The nomogram showed superior discrimination and calibration compared with the staging system alone, with consistent results in the validation cohort. This tool enables more individualized survival estimation and may assist in clinical decision-making for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.