Machine-based learning hierarchical cluster analysis: sex-based differences in prognosis following resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Vivian Resende, Diamantis I. Tsilimigras, Yutaka Endo, Alfredo Guglielmi, Francesca Ratti, Luca Aldrighetti, Hugo P. Marques, Olivier Soubrane, Vincent Lam, George A. Poultsides, Irinel Popescu, Sorin Alexandrescu, Ana Gleisner, Guillaume Martel, Tom Hugh, Itaru Endo, Feng Shen, Timothy M. Pawlik*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may have a heterogeneous presentation, as well as different long-term outcomes following surgical resection. We sought to use machine learning to cluster patients into different prognostic groups based on preoperative characteristics.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent liver resection for HCC between 2000 and 2020 were identified from a large international multi-institutional database. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on preoperative factors to characterize patterns of presentation and define disease-free survival (DFS).

Results: Among 966 with HCC, 3 distinct clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (n = 160, 16.5%), Cluster 2 (n = 537, 55.6%) and Cluster 3 (n = 269, 27.8%). Cluster 1 (n = 160, 16.5%) consisted of female patients (n = 160, 100%), low inflammation-based scores, intermediate tumor burden score (TBS) (median: 4.71) and high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (median 41.3 ng/mL); Cluster 2 consisted of male individuals (n = 537, 100%), mainly with a history of HBV infection (n = 429, 79.9%), low inflammation-based scores, intermediate AFP levels (median 26.0 ng/mL) and lower TBS (median 4.49); Cluster 3 was comprised of older patients (median age 68 years) predominantly male (n = 248, 92.2%) who had low incidence of HBV/HCV infection (7.1% and 8.2%, respectively), intermediate AFP levels (median 16.8 ng/mL), high inflammation-based scores and high TBS (median 6.58). Median DFS worsened incrementally among the three different clusters with Cluster 3 having the lowest DFS (Cluster 1: median not reached; Cluster 2: 34 months, 95% CI 23.0–48.0, Cluster 3: 19 months, 95% CI 15.0–29.0, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Cluster analysis classified HCC patients into three distinct prognostic groups. Cluster assignment predicted DFS following resection of HCC with the female cluster having the most favorable prognosis following HCC resection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3319-3327
Number of pages9
JournalWorld Journal of Surgery
Volume47
Issue number12
Early online date30 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Female-patients
  • Disparity
  • Survival

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