A modified TNM-based Japan Integrated Score combined with AFP level may serve as a better staging system for early-stage predominant hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Abstract Background Combinations of Child-Pugh classification and Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan/Tumor-Node-Metastasis (LCSGJ/TNM) have been reported as Japan Integrated Staging (JIS). We previously modified the 6th AJCC/TNM to serve as a better staging system than the 5th and 6th AJCC/TNM. Aims To develop a modified TNM-based JIS to predict the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients more accurately. Methods 3764 HCC patients were enrolled from 1986 to 2002 (2882 patients from 1986 to 2000 and 882 patients from 2001 to 2002). We compared the performance of original JIS, modified TNM-based JIS, modified TNM-based JIS combined α-fetoprotein (AFP), BCLC, and CLIP. Lower Akaike information criteria (AIC) values indicated better discriminatory abilities. Results AIC value was lowest in CLIP during all periods. However, during 2001–2002, when early-stage HCC patients were predominant, AIC value was lowest when modified TNM-based JIS combined AFP was used. Conclusion The CLIP system provided the best prognostic stratification in the present cohort of HCC patients who were mainly at late stages. However, early detection of HCCs has become more common in Taiwan in recent years, which has led to the predominance of early-stage HCC patients. Therefore, modified TNM-based JIS combined AFP may now be the most applicable system in recent years.