Factors affecting post-treatment outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is considered the most common primary liver tumor with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with different treatment modalities and detect the possible factors that could affect these post-treatment outcomes. Participants and methods This study included patients that matched our eligibility criteria for a period of 5 years, starting from June 2015 to June 2020. Patients were followed up at postoperative first 3 months and 1 year. The authors categorized the types of post-treatment outcomes as favorable and unfavorable. According to the modified Response Assessment Criteria for Solid Tumors, the favorable outcomes included patients who were cured or had stable disease. Conversely, the unfavorable outcomes included patients who deteriorated or had a recurrence. Results Among 407 patients, 142 were cured at the first 3 months, 73.2% maintained cured, while 26.8% developed local recurrence after 1 year of therapy. About 47.7% of the included patients deteriorated in the first post-treatment after 3 months. The mortality rate was 41.8% during the 5-year postoperatively. Conclusion A fewer number of the hepatic focal lesion, small-sized lesion, early-to-intermediate stages of disease severity, and higher hemoglobin level were the only independent predictors of a favorable outcome.