Work

Prognostic value of preoperative fibrinogen, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum alpha-fetoprotein, and prealbumin for patients with primary liver cancer undergoing transarterial chemoembolization

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a key palliative option for unresectable HCC. However, prognostic outcomes after TACE vary significantly. This study evaluated the prognostic value of the fibrinogen and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (F-NLR) score, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and prealbumin (PA) in patients undergoing TACE. AIM: To investigate the prognostic significance of F-NLR score, AFP, and PA in patients undergoing TACE. METHODS: Variables such as F-NLR score, AFP, PA, and other clinical indicators were assessed. Follow-ups determined prognosis as good or poor. Statistical assessments, including receiver operating characteristic analyses, were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance and develop an integrated predictive model. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of 162 patients with primary liver cancer undergoing TACE was conducted. Low F-NLR scores and AFP levels and high PA were significantly associated with a good prognosis. The combined model, which integrated F-NLR, AFP, and PA, demonstrated a favorable prognostic predictive capability, with an area under the curve of 0.933. CONCLUSION: Preoperative F-NLR, AFP, and PA are valuable prognostic predictors in patients with HCC undergoing TACE.

Source: World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology

DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i6.103198