Body mass index above 24 is beneficial for the 6-month survival rate in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with extrahepatic metastases.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of overweight status on the 6-month survival rate in patients with extrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS AND STUDY

DESIGN

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 51 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and extrahepatic metastases between 2007 and 2010 before treatment. The associations among overweight status (body mass index [BMI] >24 kg/m2), demographic variables, and survival outcome were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

BMI>24 kg/m2 was significantly associated with the 6-month survival rate (p=0.042). Gender (p=0.149), Child Pugh classification (p=0.149), Okuda staging (p=0.093), and albumin concentration >3.5 mg/dL (p=0.082) showed marginal survival benefits in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that BMI >24 kg/m2 was an independent prognostic factor for the 6-month survival rate (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI >24 kg/m2 was associated with an improved 6-month survival rate in patients with extrahepatic metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.