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. 2009 Sep;137(3):850-5.
doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.06.003. Epub 2009 Jun 12.

A system of classifying microvascular invasion to predict outcome after resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Sasan Roayaie  1 , Iris N Blume, Swan N Thung, Maria Guido, Maria-Isabel Fiel, Spiros Hiotis, Daniel M Labow, Josep M Llovet, Myron E Schwartz
Affiliations

A system of classifying microvascular invasion to predict outcome after resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Sasan Roayaie et al. Gastroenterology. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

Background & aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurs in approximately 70% of cases after resection. Vascular invasion by tumor cells can be classified as gross or microscopic (microvascular invasion [mVI]) and is a risk factor for recurrence. We examined a large cohort of patients with HCC who were treated by resection to identify features of mVI that correlated with recurrence and survival.

Methods: We reviewed the records of all HCC resections performed at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine between January 1990 and March 2006 to identify those with mVI, established by histologic analysis. The numbers and sizes of vessels invaded, invasion of a vessel with a muscular wall, distance from the tumor, and satellite nodules were recorded.

Results: Of the 384 patients who underwent resection for HCC, 131 (34.1%) met the entry criteria. The median follow-up period was 28.9 months. There were 68 recurrences and 54 deaths. In multivariate analysis, invasion of a vessel with a muscular wall predicted recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.8; P = .02), and invasion of a vessel with a muscular wall (hazard ratio, 2.2; P = .018) and invasion of a vessel that was more than 1 cm from the tumor (hazard ratio, 2.1; P = .015) predicted survival. A risk score that assigned points for the presence of each variable correlated with recurrence (P = .028) and survival (P < .0001).

Conclusions: A novel classification system that includes invasion of a vessel with a muscular wall and invasion of a vessel that is more than 1 cm from the tumor can accurately predict risk of recurrence and survival of patients with mVI after resection of HCC.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Vascular invasion of vessel with a muscular wall at 40× magnification with antibody to smooth muscle actin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagram of patients included in study.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overall survival (A) and recurrence (B) based on extent of vascular invasion.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overall survival (A) and recurrence (B) based on extent of vascular invasion.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overall survival (A) and recurrence (B) in patients with microvascular invasion based on histological risk score.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overall survival (A) and recurrence (B) in patients with microvascular invasion based on histological risk score.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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