Influence of the Radiological Response on Histological Necrosis and on the Survival of Patients Treated With Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Secondary to Cirrhosis on the Liver Transplantation Waiting List.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transarterial chemoembolization is the most common treatment used for HCC patients on liver transplant waiting list. The aims of this study are to evaluate the radio-histological correlation of the post-chemoembolization HCC response and its influence on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

METHODS: Monocentric, retrospective study, including liver transplant patients with HCC who received chemoembolization from 2007 to 2018. The response of the hypervascular nodules was evaluated according to mRECIST, EASL.

RESULTS: A total of 70 patients with 122 hypervascular and 28 hypovascular HCCs were included. A complete radiological response concerned 34.3% patients. Concordance rates of hypervascular nodules (mRECIST, EASL and lipiodol uptake) with tumor necrosis ranged from 49% to 57%, with a specificity of 35% and a positive predictive value of 54%. Bilobar involvement was a predictive factor for incomplete radiological response. Major tumor necrosis was significantly correlated with the decrease in αFP level between the first CEL and liver transplantation. OS and RFS at 5 years were 64% and 60%, respectively, and 69% and 66% at complete radiological response.

CONCLUSION: Radiological response is significantly related to histological tumor necrosis, but with poor prediction. In case of complete radiological response, OS and RFS seem to be improved.