Journal of Liver Cancer

Original Articles

Prognostic value of automated computed tomography body composition in hepatocellular carcinoma: a volumetric versus single-slice comparison: Seok Jin Hong, Jeong Hee Yoon, Jae Hyun Kim, Jeongin Yoo, Jeong Min Lee; J Liver Cancer. 2026;26(2):263-274. Published online August 21, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2026.06.08

391 Views
26 Downloads

Abstract PDF: Background/Aims
To compare the prognostic value of fully automated volumetric versus single-slice computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition analysis for predicting overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
In this retrospective study of 448 patients with newly diagnosed HCC, deep-learning algorithm quantified volumetric (L1-L5) and single-slice (L3) skeletal muscle and adipose tissue metrics using CT images. Spearman correlation assessed the relationship between volumetric and single-slice body composition metrics. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for established clinical prognostic factors, were used to evaluate association between body composition parameters and overall survival. Harrell’s C-index was used to compare prognostic performance of Cox models.
Results
Strong correlations (correlation coefficient ≥0.82) were observed between volumetric and single-slice measurements for muscle attenuation, visceral fat index, and subcutaneous fat index, while muscle index demonstrated only moderate correlation (correlation coefficient= 0.50). Single-slice low muscle index (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-2.31; P=0.006), single-slice low muscle attenuation (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.88; P=0.045) and volumetric low muscle attenuation (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.95; P=0.034) were identified as independent predictors of overall survival. Median follow-up was 6.6 years. The single-slice and volumetric models showed comparable discrimination (C-index, 0.816 vs. 0.817; P=0.11).
Conclusion
Automated single-slice muscle parameters at the L3 level provide significant prognostic stratification in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, establishing it as a viable, time-efficient tool for routine oncologic practice. In contrast, automated volumetric body composition assessment did not provide superior discrimination compared with the single-slice approach.

Enhanced radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma post-transarterial chemoembolization: a prospective study utilizing twin internally cooled-perfusion electrodes: Sungjun Hwang, Jae Hyun Kim, Sae-Jin Park, Su Jong Yu, Yoon Jun Kim, Jung-Hwan Yoon, Jeong Min Lee; J Liver Cancer. 2025;25(1):91-98. Published online February 7, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2025.01.25

4,902 Views
69 Downloads
1 Web of Science
1 Citation

Backgrounds/Aims
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely employed for managing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, local tumor progression (LTP) after treatment remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates the efficacy of saline-perfused bipolar RFA using twin internally cooled-perfusion (TICP) electrodes in managing recurrent HCC post-TACE.
Methods
Between September 2017 and January 2019, 100 patients with 105 nodules (mean diameter, 1.6±0.5 cm) were prospectively enrolled. Bipolar RFA with TICP electrodes was performed under ultrasound-computed tomography/magnetic resonance fusion guidance. The primary outcome was the 2-year cumulative incidence of LTP.
Results
The technical success and technique efficacy rates were 100% and 97%, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 34.0 months (range, 3-41), the estimated LTP rates were 13.3% at 1 year and 17.7% at 2 years. Progression-free survival rates were 37.8% and 27.7% at 1 year and 2 years, respectively.
Conclusions
Saline-perfused bipolar RFA using TICP electrodes demonstrates promising results for recurrent HCC after TACE, achieving high technical success and effective local tumor control rates.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Risk Model for Predicting Aggressive Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Microwave Ablation Using MRI and Clinical Parameters
Ran Wei, Mengxuan Zuo, Wang Li, Wendao Liu, Chengzhi Li, Chao An
Radiology: Imaging Cancer.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

Recommendation and Guideline

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2024 expert consensus-based practical recommendation of the Korean Liver Cancer Association: Seungchul Han, Pil Soo Sung, Soo Young Park, Jin Woong Kim, Hyun Pyo Hong, Jung-Hee Yoon, Dong Jin Chung, Joon Ho Kwon, Sanghyeok Lim, Jae Hyun Kim, Seung Kak Shin, Tae Hyung Kim, Dong Ho Lee, Jong Young Choi; J Liver Cancer. 2024;24(2):131-144. Published online August 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2024.08.04

25,455 Views
672 Downloads
15 Web of Science
16 Citations

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a non-surgical option that directly targets and destroys tumor cells, has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Therapies with different energy sources, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation, employ different mechanisms to induce tumor necrosis. The precision, safety, and effectiveness of these therapies have increased with advances in guiding technologies and device improvements. Consequently, local ablation has become the firstline treatment for early-stage HCC. The lack of organized evidence and expert opinions regarding patient selection, pre-procedure preparation, procedural methods, swift post-treatment evaluation, and follow-up has resulted in clinicians following varied practices. Therefore, an expert consensus-based practical recommendation for local ablation was developed by a group of experts in radiology and hepatology from the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association in collaboration with the Korean Society of Image-guided Tumor Ablation to provide useful information and guidance for performing local ablation and for the pre- and posttreatment management of patients.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Taiwan Academy of Tumor Ablation (TATA) consensus on hepatocellular carcinoma ablation
Ching-Wei Chang, Ming-Shun Wu, Wei-Yu Kao, Ming-Feng Chiang, Shih-Jer Hsu, Shen-Yung Wang, Chao-Hung Hung, Chih Horng Wu, San-Chi Chen, Yu-Ming Cheng, I-Cheng Lee, Yi-Chung Hsieh, Wei-Ting Chen, Chen-Chun Lin, Po-Chin Liang, Jen-I. Hwang, Shi-Ming Lin, Ka
Hepatology International.2026; 20(2): 240. CrossRef
Improved Detection of Small (<2 cm) Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Deep Learning-Based Synthetic CT Hepatic Arteriography: A Multi-Center External Validation Study
Jung Won Kwak, Sung Bum Cho, Ki Choon Sim, Jeong Woo Kim, In Young Choi, Yongwon Cho
Diagnostics.2026; 16(2): 343. CrossRef
Application of different energy ablations in the treatment of solid tumors
Liangliang Meng, Xiao Zhang, Xiaobo Zhang, YingtianWei, Yueyong Xiao
Med-X.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization for early multinodular BCLC-A hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Maria F. F. Viana, Arthur A. Braga, Lucas B. Carvalho, Danilo C. M. S. Vasconcellos, Bianca C. M. R. Alexandrino, Felipe J. F. Coimbra
Journal of Liver Cancer.2026; 26(1): 157. CrossRef
Aggressive Histologic Subtypes Drive Poor Outcomes after Percutaneous Ablation for Early Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Kyowon Gu, Min Woo Lee, Seungchul Han, Sun-Young Baek, Dong Hyun Sinn, Jong Man Kim, Hyunchul Rhim
Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.2026; 37(11): 108998. CrossRef
Single-Frequency Microwave-Assisted Nanogel–Protein Complexation for Hybrid Biomaterial Fabrication
Yunting Ma, Hikaru Takaya, Ryosuke Mizuta, Kazunari Akiyoshi, Yoshihiro Sasaki
ACS Omega.2026; 11(36): 54088. CrossRef
Impact of Tumor Location on Radiofrequency Ablation Outcomes as First-Line Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gwang Hyeon Choi, Chang Jin Yoon, Chong-ho Lee, Kun Yung Kim, Eun Sun Jang, Jin-Wook Kim, Seung Jae Lee, Sook-Hyang Jeong, Minuk Kim, Jae Hwan Lee
Korean Journal of Interventional Radiology.2026; 31(2): 125. CrossRef
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2026 expert consensus-based practical recommendation of the Korean Liver Cancer Association
Jinhong Jung, Han Ah Lee, Do Young Kim, Hyun-Cheol Kang, Sun Hyun Bae, Ji Hye Min, Gyu Sang Yoo, Jeong Il Yu, Seo Hee Choi, Hae Lim Lee, Subin Heo, Chai Hong Rim, Sang Min Yoon, June Sung Lee
Radiation Oncology Journal.2026; 44(3): 151. CrossRef
Microwave ablation vs. liver resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas
Hyundam Gu, Yeonjoo Seo, Dong Jin Chung, Kwang Yeol Paik, Seung Kew Yoon, Jihye Lim
Journal of Liver Cancer.2025; 25(1): 99. CrossRef
Evolving trends in epidemiology, etiology, and treatment patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea
Soo Young Hwang, Ju Dong Yang
Journal of Liver Cancer.2025; 25(1): 4. CrossRef
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma at specific anatomic sites of the liver: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jiandong Zha, Fang Zhang, Tuoyu Cao, Shasha Li, Xuelian Shen, Liangliang Xu, Wenqi Chen
Frontiers in Surgery.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma at specific anatomic sites of the liver: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yongsheng Fu, Qicong Zhu, Xin Zhao, Jingfen Lu, Wei Wang
BMC Gastroenterology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Immunotherapy in GI Cancers: Lessons from Key Trials and Future Clinical Applications
Supriya Peshin, Faizan Bashir, Naga Anvesh Kodali, Adit Dharia, Sajida Zaiter, Sakshi Singal, Nagaishwarya Moka
Antibodies.2025; 14(3): 58. CrossRef
Liver Cancer: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Integrated Therapeutic Approaches
Mythileeswari Lakshmikanthan, Sakthivel Muthu, John T. D. Caleb, Yuvaraj Maria Francis, Indra Neel Pulidindi
Bioengineering.2025; 12(8): 837. CrossRef
Asian Conference on Tumor Ablation Guidelines for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Shuichiro Shiina, Ryosuke Tateishi, Joon Il Choi, So Yeon Kim, Zhiqiang Meng, Lujun Shen, Sheng-Nan Lu, Jen-I. Hwang, Maki Tobari, Hitoshi Maruyama, Terguunbileg Batsaikhan, Qing Deng, Lariza Marie Canseco, Yoshinari Asaoka, Shi-Ming Lin, Kai-Wen Huang, H
Liver Cancer.2025; 14(5): 651. CrossRef
Practical consensus multi-specialty guidelines on image-guided ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma
David S. Lu
Journal of Liver Cancer.2024; 24(2): 120. CrossRef

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search