Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features and Prognosis According to Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) can develop in patients with and without risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Purpose: To compare the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of cHCC-CCA in patients with and without risk factors for HCC, and to assess the influence of risk factors on patient prognosis.

Study type: Retrospective.

Population: A total of 152 patients with surgically confirmed cHCC-CCA.

Field strength/sequence: 1.5-T and 3-T/T1-weighted dual gradient-echo in- and opposed-phase, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo, diffusion-weighted single-shot spin-echo echo-planar, and T1-weighted three-dimensional gradient-echo contrast-enhanced sequences.

Assessment: MRI features according to the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) and pathologic findings based on revised classification were compared between patients with and without risk factors for HCC. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were also compared between the two groups, and factors associated with survival were evaluated.

Statistical tests: The clinico-pathologic and MRI features of the two groups were compared using Student's t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and chi-square tests. OS and RFS were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and factors associated with survival were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: cHCC-CCA in patients with risk factors were more frequently classified as LI-RADS category 4 or 5 (LR-4/5; probably or definitely HCC) (48.7%), whereas those without risk factors were more frequently classified as category M (LR-M; probably malignant, not specific for HCC) (63.6%). RFS and OS did not differ significantly according to risk factors (P = 0.63 and 0.83). Multivariable analysis showed that pathologic tumor type (hazard ratio 2.02; P < 0.05) and LI-RADS category (hazard ratio 2.19; P < 0.05) were significantly associated with RFS and OS, respectively.

Data conclusion: Although MRI features of cHCC-CCA differed significantly between patients with and without risk factors for HCC, postsurgical prognosis did not. LI-RADS category and pathologic tumor type were independently correlated with postsurgical prognosis in patients with cHCC-CCA.

Level of evidence: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Keywords: combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma; gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; liver; prognosis.