Jiang D, Qian Y, Gu YJ, Wang R, Yu H, Dong H, Chen DY, Chen Y, Jiang HZ, Tan BB, Peng M, Li YR. Predicting hepatocellular carcinoma: A new non-invasive model based on shear wave elastography. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30(25): 3166-3178 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i25.3166]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yi-Ran Li, MD, Attending Doctor, Department of Ultrasound, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, No. 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China. liyiranehsh@sina.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Retrospective Study
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Dong Jiang, Yi Qian, Yi-Jun Gu, Ru Wang, Dong-Yu Chen, Yan Chen, Bi-Bo Tan, Yi-Ran Li, Department of Ultrasound, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Hua Yu, Hui Dong, Department of Pathology, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Hao-Zheng Jiang, Department of College of Art and Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
Min Peng, Ultrasound Diagnosis, PLA Naval Medical Center, Shanghai 200437, China
Author contributions: Li YR, Jiang D, Qian Y, Wang R, Chen DY, and Tan BB designed the research study; Jiang HZ, Gu YJ, Yu H, Peng M, and Dong H performed the research; Chen Y, Qian Y, Wang R, and Jiang HZ contributed new reagents and analytic tools; Jiang D, Li YR, Tan BB, Gu YJ, Peng M, and Yu H analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Jiang D and Qian Y contributed equally to this work as co-first authors; Peng M and Li YR contributed equally to this work as co-corresponding authors. The reasons for designating Peng M and Li YR as co-corresponding authors are that they share the responsibility of guidance, communication, and organization.
Supported bythe National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Training Project, No. 2021GZR003; and Medical-engineering Interdisciplinary Research Youth Training Project, No. 2022YGJC001.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (Approval No. EHBHKY2023-K034-P001).
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors have no conflict of interest related to the manuscript.
Data sharing statement: The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yi-Ran Li, MD, Attending Doctor, Department of Ultrasound, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, No. 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China. liyiranehsh@sina.com
Received: March 7, 2024 Revised: May 22, 2024 Accepted: May 27, 2024 Published online: July 7, 2024 Processing time: 115 Days and 23.3 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Integrating conventional ultrasound features with 2D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) can potentially enhance preoperative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predictions.
AIM
To develop a 2D-SWE-based predictive model for preoperative identification of HCC.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 884 patients who underwent liver resection and pathology evaluation from February 2021 to August 2023 was conducted at the Oriental Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital. The patients were divided into the modeling group (n = 720) and the control group (n = 164). The study included conventional ultrasound, 2D-SWE, and preoperative laboratory tests. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent predictive factors for malignant liver lesions, which were then depicted as nomograms.
RESULTS
In the modeling group analysis, maximal elasticity (Emax) of tumors and their peripheries, platelet count, cirrhosis, and blood flow were independent risk indicators for malignancies. These factors yielded an area under the curve of 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-0.81) with 84% sensitivity and 61% specificity. The model demonstrated good calibration in both the construction and validation cohorts, as shown by the calibration graph and Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P = 0.683 and P = 0.658, respectively). Additionally, the mean elasticity (Emean) of the tumor periphery was identified as a risk factor for microvascular invasion (MVI) in malignant liver tumors (P = 0.003). Patients receiving antiviral treatment differed significantly in platelet count (P = 0.002), Emax of tumors (P = 0.033), Emean of tumors (P = 0.042), Emax at tumor periphery (P < 0.001), and Emean at tumor periphery (P = 0.003).
CONCLUSION
2D-SWE’s hardness value serves as a valuable marker for enhancing the preoperative diagnosis of malignant liver lesions, correlating significantly with MVI and antiviral treatment efficacy.
Core Tip: This study pioneers a new model utilizing two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) to enhance preoperative diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study highlights the prognostic value of 2D-SWE stiffness values in assessing malignant liver lesions in patients with chronic hepatitis B, their microvascular invasion potential, and monitoring the efficacy of antiviral treatments. The predictive map validated by receiver operating characteristic analysis provides a promising tool for clinicians in the management of liver cancer and represents an important step forward in precision oncology.
Citation: Jiang D, Qian Y, Gu YJ, Wang R, Yu H, Dong H, Chen DY, Chen Y, Jiang HZ, Tan BB, Peng M, Li YR. Predicting hepatocellular carcinoma: A new non-invasive model based on shear wave elastography. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30(25): 3166-3178
The global incidence of liver cancer continues to rise, affecting over a million people annually. This trend underscores the urgent need to address liver cancer[1,2]. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents approximately 90% of liver cancer cases in China and is strongly associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure[3,4]. Surgery remains the principal therapeutic strategy for malignant liver tumors, depending on patient condition and liver function evaluation[5]. Kim et al[6] investigated the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis through studies utilizing ferumoxides-enhanced and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing HCC. Additionally, Liu et al[7] explored the viscoelastic properties of proliferative HCC using three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). The relationship between preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels and resectability, prognosis, and survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases has also been examined[8]. Consequently, assessing hardness has become a common practice in pre-hepatectomy evaluations.
Two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) is a validated ultrasound elastography technique with multiple advantages. It provides precise regions of interest (ROI) and monitors blood flow changes for accurate measurements. Emerging evidence supports 2D-SWE for fibrosis staging in patients with chronic HB[9]. Liver stiffness measurements obtained via transient elastography are also used to assess the risk of liver cancer following antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB)[10]. The APS score, based on 2D-SWE, predicts liver cancer likelihood within 5 years[11]. Shear wave velocity (SWV) in liver metastasis from colorectal cancer offers prognostic insights for chemotherapy recipients, where a decrease in SWV after the second day of chemotherapy indicates a favorable outcome[12]. Moreover, liver elasticity imaging helps predict postoperative complications[13] and recurrence[14] in HCC patients. Current research using 2D-SWE to differentiate malignant from benign focal liver lesions is ongoing, though it faces limitations in sample size, and a preoperative model for predicting malignant liver tumors has yet to be established[15].
Our contribution involves a pioneering liver malignancy prediction model utilizing 2D-SWE to measure hardness values. This approach culminated in a constructed nomogram, with model validation executed on prospective cases. The prediction model demonstrated an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.77, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.73 to 0.81. Additionally, the model achieved a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 61%. The results of the calibration plot and Hosmer-Lemeshow test, with respective P values of 0.683 and 0.658, indicate that there is good calibration observed in both the deduction and validation cohorts. This innovative model marks a significant step towards enhanced liver tumor prediction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Structure and patient recruitment
The current study obtained ethical approval from our institution’s Ethics Committee (Ethics No: EHBHKY2021-K-011). All patients provided written informed consent before undergoing ultrasound examinations. This single-center, retrospective study introduced a novel non-invasive diagnostic model that merges ultrasound elastography with laboratory analyses to detect malignant liver lesions. Data spanning from February 2021 to February 2023 were utilized to develop a predictive model, while data from March 2023 to August 2023 were employed for validation.
A total of 884 patients were enrolled in the study, divided into the modeling group (n = 720) and the validation group (n = 164). These patients met specific criteria[16,17]: Conventional ultrasound identified one or more solid liver lesions with a maximum depth of less than 8 cm. In SWE quality mode, liver cancer lesions appeared green, indicating accurate SWE measurements. Exclusion criteria included: Refusal to participate; patients under 18 years; lack of a definitive final diagnosis, with the exception of non-liver malignant metastases requiring post-operative pathological confirmation; and a history of local radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatments such as ablation, proton therapy, and transarterial chemoembolization.
Conventional ultrasound and 2D-SWE evaluation
We utilized the Acuson Sequoia diagnostic ultrasound system (Siemens Healthineers, Mountain View, CA, United States) and a convex abdominal transducer (5C1) for conventional ultrasound examinations. Patients were required to fast for at least 8 hours prior to the procedure. An experienced ultrasound physician with over 15 years of experience performed liver scans to detect solid lesions. The dimensions of each lesion were measured, and lesion volume was calculated using the formula[18]: V = 0.5 LW² (V: Volume; L: Length; W: Width). The ultrasound physician assessed each lesion as benign, malignant, or undetermined based on features such as number, diameter, shape, margins, echogenicity, and blood flow characteristics of the lesions and surrounding liver tissue. Features of cirrhosis observed included irregular liver shape, uneven capsule contour, heterogeneous echogenicity distribution, portal vein enlargement, spleen enlargement, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
Following conventional ultrasound, a second specialist with expertise in ultrasound elastography conducted 2D-SWE evaluations using the same equipment and probe. No pressure was applied during this evaluation. Upon activating the 2D-SWE mode, the targeted liver cancer lesion was displayed. A ROI was defined, encompassing the lesion and adjacent liver tissue. The lesion appeared green in the image’s quality feature (Figure 1A), indicating the 2D-SWE image met the required quality standard. The velocity scale ranged from 0.5 m/s to 4.0 m/s (Figure 1B). Spherical ROIs were placed on the firmest part of the tumor and its periphery. Max values of ROIs were maximal elasticity (Emax) (Figure 1C); average was mean elasticity (Emean)[19]. Three SWE measurements were obtained for each lesion[20].
Figure 1 2D shear wave elastography was used to assess localized liver lesions in this study.
A: Demonstrates tumors displayed in the green mass mode, indicating that 2D shear wave elastography’s accuracy meets the standard. For tumors displayed in speed mode, its velocity scale was configured within the range of 0.5 to 4.0 m/s; B: Shows two round areas of interest (ROIs) placed at the hardest part of the tumor and around the tumor, each with a diameter of 3 mm; C: The maximum elasticity of these ROIs, denoted as maximal elasticity, was recorded; D: Illustrates intracapsular vascular tumor emboli, highlighted in the image (HE × 100).
Laboratory investigations and histological assessment
Preoperative laboratory investigations included liver function tests, complete blood count, renal function tests, coagulation profiles, hepatitis virus-related tests, and other necessary examinations.
Histological specimens were stained and independently evaluated by two experienced pathologists (with over 10 years of expertise) using the NAS scoring system. For malignancies, it was crucial to assess the presence of tumor thrombi in the small veins adjacent to the tumors (Figure 1D).
Statistical analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 28 (IBM, Chicago, IL, United States) and R programming language version 4.0.3. Continuous variables were reported as means ± SD. The comparison of continuous variables was performed using either a t-test or a Mann-Whitney U test. Variables were categorized based on clinical outcomes, and their distributions were presented as counts and percentages. The analysis of these categorical variables employed either Fisher’s exact test or the chi-squared test. A logistic regression model included all pertinent factors, and only variables that showed statistical significance (P < 0.05) were incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression model using an advanced sequential approach to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Variables with an AUC > 0.7 were considered significant. Nomogram efficiency was assessed using the concordance index (C-index). The model’s validity was confirmed in the validation cohort using R software.
RESULTS
Overall, the model was established using independent risk indicators for malignant lesions, achieving an AUC of 0.77 with a 95%CI ranging from 0.73 to 0.81. The study findings showed sensitivity and specificity rates of 84% and 61%, respectively. The calibration graph and Hosmer-Lemeshow test highlighted good calibration in both the construction and validation cohorts (P = 0.683 and P = 0.658, respectively). Additionally, Emean at the tumor periphery was identified as a risk factor for microvascular invasion (MVI) in malignant liver tumors (P = 0.003). A comprehensive comparison between patients who received antiviral treatment and those who did not showed statistically significant differences in platelet count (P = 0.002), Emax of tumors (P = 0.033), Emean of tumors (P = 0.042), Emax at the tumor periphery (P < 0.001), and Emean at the tumor periphery (P = 0.003).
Baseline patient characteristics
A total of 800 patients underwent simultaneous ultrasound examinations, laboratory tests, and liver biopsies in the experimental cohort, with an average age of 55.2 years ± 12.0 years (Table 1). However, 80 patients were excluded for various reasons: Under 18 years of age (n = 12), refusal to participate (n = 7), failed or inconclusive biopsies (n = 5), or history of local radiotherapy or chemotherapy (n = 56) (Figure 2). The validation cohort included 200 patients who underwent the same procedures, with an average age of 55.1 years ± 10.4 years (Supplementary Table 1). Among them, 36 patients were excluded as they were under 18 years of age (n = 4), refusal to participate (n = 5), failed/inconclusive biopsies (n = 3), or a history of local radiotherapy or chemotherapy (n = 24) (Figure 2).
Within the experimental cohort, 520 patients had liver malignancies: 413 with HCC, 55 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 52 with liver metastases. The average age was 55.5 years ± 11.8 years. Notably, 101 of these patients exhibited signs of MVI, while 419 did not (Supplementary Table 2).
Among the experimental cohort, 307 patients had CHB, with an average age of 55.1 years ± 11.1 years. Of these, 159 received antiviral treatment (entecavir or tenofovir as first-line treatment), while 148 did not receive treatment (Supplementary Table 3).
Liver cancer-associated factors and predictive values
In the experimental cohort, univariable analysis identified correlations between liver cancer and several factors, including platelet count, cirrhosis, blood flow, Emax of tumors, Emean of tumors, Emax at the tumor periphery, and Emean at the tumor periphery (Table 2). Multivariable analysis revealed that five factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of liver cancer: Platelet count (P < 0.001; OR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.99-1.00), cirrhosis (P = 0.027; OR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.40-0.95), blood flow (P < 0.001; OR: 2.51, 95%CI: 1.72-3.67), Emax of tumors (P < 0.001; OR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.50-2.89), and Emean at the tumor periphery (P = 0.001; OR: 2.70, 95%CI: 1.54-4.73). Figure 3 graphically represents the results of the multivariable analysis for predicting liver cancer. The risk score was calculated using the following formula: Risk score = (cirrhosis × 0.610) + (blood flow × 0.920) + (Emax of tumors × 0.733) + (Emean at the tumor periphery × 0.993) - (platelets × 0.005) - (cirrhosis × 0.487).
Figure 3 The graphs in this figure display receiver operating characteristic curves, which indicate the accuracy of different predictive parameters in predicting hepatic malignant tumors in the experimental cohort.
PLT: Platelet count.
Table 2 Both univariable and multivariable logistic regression approaches to assess the probability of liver cancer in the experimental cohort (n = 720).
Variable
Univariable
Multivariable
Odds ratio
P value
Odds ratio
P value
Clinical data
Age (years)
1.00 (0.99, 1.02)
0.352
Sex (%)
0.85 (0.57, 1.26)
0.424
Body mass index (kg/m2)
1.01 (0.96, 1.06)
0.678
Nationality (%)
0.66 (0.27, 1.61)
0.364
History of tumor (%)
1.50 (0.79, 2.82)
0.213
Laboratory data
ALT (IU/L)
1.00 (0.99, 1.00)
0.306
AST (IU/L)
1.00 (0.99, 1.00)
0.299
GGT (IU/L)
1.00 (0.99, 1.00)
0.249
Prothrombin time (s)
1.00 (0.93, 1.24)
0.328
INR
2.94 (0.50, 17.38)
0.235
PLT (109/L)
1.00 (0.99, 1.00)
< 0.001
1.00 (0.99, 1.00)
< 0.001
Albumin (g/L)
1.00 (0.97, 1.05)
0.780
Total bilirubin (µmol/L)
1.01 (0.98, 1.04)
0.638
Ultrasonic data
Number (%)
0.61 (0.42, 0.89)
0.009
0.61 (0.40, 0.95)
0.027
Diameter (cm)
1.01 (0.96, 1.07)
0.628
Shape (%)
0.76 (0.55, 1.06)
0.102
Echo (%)
1.38 (0.98, 1.94)
0.065
Edge (%)
1.56 (1.11, 2.17)
0.010
Cirrhosis (%)
3.04 (2.03, 4.57)
< 0.001
Blood (%)
2.50 (1.79, 3.50)
< 0.001
2.51 (1.72, 3.67)
< 0.001
Emax of the tumors (m/s)
2.86 (2.10, 3.91)
< 0.001
2.08 (1.50, 2.89)
< 0.001
Emean of the tumors (m/s)
3.95 (2.60, 6.01)
< 0.001
Emax of the periphery of tumors (m/s)
5.72 (3.51, 9.34)
< 0.001
Emean of the periphery of tumors (m/s)
5.84 (3.54, 9.63)
< 0.001
2.70 (1.54, 4.73)
0.001
Univariable logistic regression analysis based on these five parameters demonstrated excellent discriminatory performance in detecting liver cancer. Performance metrics were as follows: The AUC was 0.77 (95%CI: 0.73, 0.81). Sensitivity was 84%, specificity was 61%, positive predictive value was 85%, negative predictive value was 60%, and overall diagnostic accuracy was 78% (Table 3).
Table 3 Diagnostic performance of multivariable model, maximal elasticity of the tumors, mean elasticity of the periphery of tumors, platelet count, cirrhosis, blood and number for the diagnosis of malignant tumor in the experimental cohort (n = 720).
The development of a predictive nomogram for liver cancer
A meticulously designed nomogram incorporating the five previously identified predictors was developed (Figure 4A). The model’s excellent calibration in both the development and validation cohorts is demonstrated by the calibration curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test results (P = 0.683 and P = 0.658, respectively) (Figure 4B and C). Notably, the derivation cohort displayed a C-index of 0.767, while the verification cohort reached 0.743, confirming the model’s strong discriminatory capacity.
Figure 4 This figure demonstrates the process of generating and evaluating the nomogram.
A: Presents the nomogram used for predicting malignant tumors; B and C: Depict the calibration curve, providing estimates of malignant tumors using the nomogram in the development and confirmation cohorts, respectively.
Factors associated with MVI state
Exploring the MVI state, the single-factor analysis within the liver cancer patients of the predictive model revealed a significant correlation between Emean of tumors (P = 0.001; OR: 2.70, 95%CI: 1.54-4.73) and the presence of MVI (Supplementary Table 4).
Comparison analysis in chronic hepatitis B patients: Treated vs untreated
Analysis of 307 CHB patients in the experimental cohort, including 159 who received oral antiviral treatment and 148 untreated, showed significant differences between the groups in several indicators: Platelets (P = 0.002), Emax of tumors (P = 0.033), Emean of tumors (P = 0.042), Emax at the tumor periphery (P < 0.001), and Emean at the tumor periphery (P = 0.003) (Supplementary Table 3). Notably, treated patients exhibited reduced tissue stiffness in both tumors and adjacent tissue, as indicated by lower elasticity values (Figure 5).
Figure 5 Plots show the distribution of maximal elasticity and mean elasticity within tumors, as well as the maximal elasticity and mean elasticity in the peripheral regions of tumors, along with the mean elasticity count in patients with and without antiviral treatment.
PLT: Platelet count; Emax: Maximal elasticity; Emean: Mean elasticity. aP < 0.05, b0.05 < P < 0.001, cP < 0.001.
DISCUSSION
In this study, we developed a liver cancer prediction model by integrating conventional ultrasound and 2D-SWE techniques with laboratory tests. The ROC curve constructed for the model yielded an AUC of 0.77, demonstrating significant diagnostic utility. This predictive model is promising for the preoperative evaluation of liver lesions and the formulation of treatment strategies. 2D-SWE, a widely used liver elastography technique, plays a crucial role in the identification and assessment of hepatic illnesses and the evaluation of fibrotic conditions affecting the liver[21,22]. Despite ongoing debates regarding the differential diagnosis of liver lesions using 2D-SWE, consensus has yet to be reached[23,24]. We utilized Emax and Emean as quantitative parameters to measure the hardness of liver lesions[25]. The findings showed robust predictive value in the model group, where Emax of tumors (AUC = 0.67) and Emean at the tumor periphery (AUC = 0.69) emerged as strong indicators. This outcome could be attributed to our measurements, which captured not only the intrinsic hardness of the lesions but also assessed the hardness of the surrounding areas. It is noteworthy that ischemic necrosis often occurs in the central region of tumors, affecting their hardness. Additionally, reports suggest that the tissue surrounding the tumor might exhibit greater hardness compared to the central region[26].
The established model identified cirrhosis, blood flow, platelet count, and tumor number as risk factors for predicting malignant tumors. This research significantly contributes by elucidating the incidence and levels of HBV DNA in non-symptomatic HBV carriers, patients with cirrhosis, and cases of HCC originating from The Gambia. It also aimed to evaluate the potential risk of developing cirrhosis or HCC in relation to HBV viremia[27]. In another study, Pereira et al[28] hypothesized that activation of the Hedgehog pathway is observed during the fibrogenic healing process of liver damage caused by chronic viral hepatitis. They suggested that cells responsive to Hedgehog signaling might contribute to disease progression and hepatocarcinogenesis in individuals with chronic viral hepatitis. Beste et al[29] aimed to quantify the burden of cirrhosis and HCC by their underlying causes from 2001 to 2013. Kanwal et al[30] assessed the risk of developing HCC in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Malignant tumors are often characterized by abundant blood supply and a propensity for metastatic lesions, which is why routine ultrasound frequently detects multiple blood flows. In their study, Chon et al[31] conducted a comparative analysis to evaluate the accuracy of non-invasive liver fibrosis prognosis techniques in predicting the occurrence of HCC among individuals diagnosed with CHB. The aspartate platelet count ratio index (APRI) is widely recognized as an indicator for assessing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis[32], primarily used to predict the survival rate of HCC patients post-hepatectomy. By integrating inflammation-based predictive scores, the combination of APRI and these scores enhances the accuracy of prognostic predictions. Kim et al[33] suggest using modified PAGE-B scores to improve predictive performance.
MVI is characterized by the presence of cancer cell clusters within blood vessels, surrounded by endothelial cells, as observed under a microscope. Commonly found within the tumor stroma, tumor capsule, and peritumoral region, MVI frequently occurs in branches of the portal vein adjacent to non-cancerous liver tissue. As the disease progresses, the incidence of MVI increases, establishing it as a predictive marker for tumor prognosis. This study assessed the impact of MVI in small HCCs up to 2 cm. In patients with small HCCs, MVI did not affect long-term survival (P = 0.8); however, in those with larger HCCs, the presence of MVI significantly reduced survival outcomes (P < 0.0001)[34]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of MVI: The radioactive materials score, alpha-fetoprotein levels, and tumor size[35]. Radiomics offers potential in predicting MVI[36,37]. In this research, we identified the mean echogenicity of the tumor as a unique independent risk factor for MVI, a significant discovery with implications for preoperative MVI assessment.
Previous studies have shown a higher likelihood of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis. A risk model for antiviral treatment in early-stage CHB infection, using entecavir or tenofovir, integrates age, platelet count, progression of cirrhosis, and cirrhosis value to establish a novel scoring chart (scores 0-304).
These factors are independently associated with an increased risk of HCC, positivity for hepatitis B e-antigen, and levels of serum albumin and total bilirubin[38]. Additionally, research has shown the effectiveness of combining 2D-SWE and MRE in stratifying the probability of HCC occurrence in patients who have achieved hepatitis C virus eradication. This combination is highly effective in identifying patients at high risk for HCC development. Ultrasound elastography precedes MRE if 2D-SWE yields high values, assessing liver stiffness[39]. Our hypothesis suggests that liver stiffness is not only indicative of HCC risk but also correlates with the effectiveness of antiviral treatment. Consequently, the highest and mean elasticity measurements were selected as indicators of liver hardness in 2D-SWE. After antiviral treatment, liver stiffness noticeably decreased.
With the advancement of comprehensive treatment approaches for liver cancer, the importance of preoperative assessment of liver lesions in shaping treatment and prognosis has become increasingly recognized. By employing ultrasound and laboratory tests, we have established a novel, non-invasive method for predicting malignant liver lesions that boasts high sensitivity and specificity, and shows promise for broader application. Specifically, the indicators Emax and Emean, derived from 2D-SWE within the model, demonstrate strong predictive value in assessing liver stiffness. Moreover, in our cohort, Emean of the tumor has been identified as an independent risk factor for MVI in liver cancer, thus confirming a correlation between stiffness and malignancy.
This finding aligns with results from previous studies on the varying hardness of different malignant liver lesions[15]. In the context of antiviral treatment for CHB, the hardness indicators associated with 2D-SWE also show differences in treatment outcomes, highlighting stiffness as a marker of treatment efficacy for liver cancer.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, integrating hardness indicators from 2D-SWE with laboratory tests forms a robust, non-invasive predictive model for liver cancer, offering significant predictive value for assessing risk and evaluating treatment efficacy. The clinical utility of 2D-SWE-derived hardness indicators goes beyond risk assessment and supports widespread adoption.
Footnotes
Provenance and peer review: Unsolicited article; Externally peer reviewed.
Peer-review model: Single blind
Specialty type: Gastroenterology and hepatology
Country of origin: China
Peer-review report’s classification
Scientific Quality: Grade B
Novelty: Grade B
Creativity or Innovation: Grade A
Scientific Significance: Grade B
P-Reviewer: Reeves HL, United Kingdom S-Editor: Chen YL L-Editor: Webster JR P-Editor: Zheng XM
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