Volume 53, Issue 2 pp. 587-596

Original Research

Tumor Stiffness Measurements on MR Elastography for Single Nodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas Can Predict Tumor Recurrence After Hepatic Resection

Sae-Jin Park MD,

Sae-Jin Park MD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Jeong Hee Yoon PhD,

Jeong Hee Yoon PhD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9925-9973

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Dong Ho Lee PhD,

Dong Ho Lee PhD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

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Woo Hyeon Lim MD,

Woo Hyeon Lim MD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Jeong Min Lee PhD,

Corresponding Author

Jeong Min Lee PhD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-0561-8777

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea

Address reprint requests to: J.M.L., Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea. E-mail: [email protected]

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Sae-Jin Park MD,

Sae-Jin Park MD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Jeong Hee Yoon PhD,

Jeong Hee Yoon PhD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9925-9973

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Search for more papers by this author

Dong Ho Lee PhD,

Dong Ho Lee PhD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Search for more papers by this author

Woo Hyeon Lim MD,

Woo Hyeon Lim MD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Search for more papers by this author

Jeong Min Lee PhD,

Corresponding Author

Jeong Min Lee PhD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-0561-8777

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea

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First published: 11 September 2020

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.27359

Citations: 16

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Abstract

Background

Tumor stiffness (TS), measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), could be associated with tumor mechanical properties and tumor grade.

Purpose

To determine whether TS obtained using MRE is associated with survival in patients with single nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection (HR).

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 95 patients with pathologically confirmed HCCs.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/3D spin-echo echo-planar imaging MRE.

Assessment

TS values of the whole tumor (TS-WT) and of a solid portion of the tumor (TS-SP) after excluding the necrotic area were measured on stiffness maps. Known imaging prognostic factors of HCC were also analyzed. After surgery, pathologic findings were evaluated from resected pathology specimens.

Statistical Tests

Fisher's exact test and the Mann–Whitney U-test were performed to determine the significance of differences according to the tumor grade. Overall survival (OS) / recurrence-free survival (RFS) analyses were performed using Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox multivariable models.

Results

The average TS-WT was 2.14 ± 0.74 kPa, and the average TS-SP was 2.51 ± 1.07 kPa. The cumulative incidence of RFS was 73.1%, 63.1%, and 57.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The TS-WT, TS-SP, and tumor size (≥5 cm) were significant prognostic factors for RFS (P < 0.001; P < 0.001; P = 0.017, respectively). The estimated overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 95.7%, 86.9%, and 80.8%, respectively. The alpha-fetoprotein changes, platelets, tumor size (≥5 cm), and vascular invasion in pathology were significant predictive factors for overall survival (all P < 0.05). Tumor necrosis, TS-WT, TS-SP, and vascular invasion in pathology were significantly correlated with poorly differentiated HCC (all P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

The TS-WT, TW-SP, and tumor size (≥5 cm) were significant predictive factors of RFS after HR in patients with HCC.

Level of Evidence

Technical Efficacy Stage 5

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2021;53:587–596.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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Citing Literature

Volume53, Issue2

February 2021

Pages 587-596

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MR Elastography

Tumor Stiffness Measurements on MR Elastography for Single Nodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas Can Predict Tumor Recurrence After Hepatic Resection

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Population

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

Conflict of Interest

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Tumor Stiffness Measurements on MR Elastography for Single Nodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas Can Predict Tumor Recurrence After Hepatic Resection

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Population

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

Conflict of Interest

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information