Population-Based analysis for newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma with brain metastases

Abstract Background: There is little population-based data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with brain metastases at initial diagnosis published. This study aimed to estimate incidence of brain metastases in initial metastatic HCC and its impact on prognosis. Methods: Newly diagnosed HCC cases from 2010 to 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were screened for the presence of brain metastases. Data were stratified by age and ethnicity. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression were used to identify factors associated with brain metastases and factors associated with overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), respectively. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. Results : 141 cases presenting with brain metastases were identified, accounting for 0.35% of all HCC cases and 2.37% of cases with metastatic HCC disease. The incidence rate was highest among cases with age 50-59 (2.74%), respectively. Ethnicity was not associated with the presence of brain metastases at the time of HCC diagnosis. However, African American patients presented significantly lower disease-specific survival (median time: 1month; interquartile range (IQR):0-3.0 months). Initial lung or bone metastasis was independently associated with an increased risk of the presence of brain metastases (odds ratio (OR) 12.62, 95%CI 8.40-18.97), but not associated with worse OS and CSS among brain metastases cases. Conclusions: The study shows population-based incidence and survival of brain metastases at diagnosis of HCC. Brain metastases are most prevalent in initial metastatic HCC patients with lung or bone metastasis. The results may contribute to consider screening of the brain among HCC with initial lung or bone metastasis.