The Outcome of Primary Hepatic Carcinoid Tumor: A Retrospective Study Based on Propensity Score Matched Survival Analysis

BackgroundPrimary hepatic carcinoid tumor (PHCT) is rare and has unclear clinical characteristics and prognosis.MethodsA retrospective study using data from the SEER database for patients diagnosed with PHCT used univariate and multivariate Cox models to screen for independent prognostic factors. The outcomes of patients in the surgical and nonsurgical groups were compared, and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) analysis was used to reduce confounder bias.ResultsA total of 186 PHCT patients were identified and the median survival was 65 (95% CI [43.287, 86.713]) months. Tumor size(HR = 2.493, 95% CI[1.222,5.083], p = 0.012), male(HR = 1.690, 95% CI[1.144,2.497], p = 0.008), age(HR = 2.583, 95% CI[1.697,3.930], p < 0.001), SEER stage(HR = 1.555, 95% CI[1.184,2.044], p = 0.002) and surgery(HR = 0.292, 95% CI[0.135,0.634], p = 0.002) were significantly correlated with patient prognosis. In multivariate analysis, sex(HR = 3.206, 95% CI[1.311,7.834], p = 0.011) and surgery(HR = 0.204, 95% CI[0.043,0.966], p = 0.0045) were independent predictors of patient prognosis. Females are potentially susceptible to PHCT but have a better prognosis. With consistent baseline data, surgical patients have a better prognosis.ConclusionsPHCT is uncommon and survival time is longer than that of other primary liver cancers. We found that none-surgery was potentially independent risk factors for poor prognosis.

Giant Hepatic Carcinoid: A Rare Tumor with a Favorable Prognosis

Primary hepatic carcinoids are rare tumors that are often diagnosed at a locally advanced stage. Their primary nature can only be ascertained after thorough investigations and long-term follow-up to exclude another primary origin. As with secondary neuroendocrine liver tumors, surgical resection remains the mainstay of therapy. Despite their large size and often central location liver resection is often feasible, offering long-term survival and cure to most patients. In selected patients liver transplantation appears to be a good indication for tumors not amenable to liver resection. An aggressive surgical attitude is therefore warranted. We report a large and unusually fast-growing liver carcinoid that appeared only marginally resectable in a patient who remains free of disease four years after surgery.