The association of microvascular invasion with satellite nodule, tumor multiplicity, tumor encapsulation and resection margin of hepatocellular carcinoma

We read with great interest the article by Beaufrère et al.1 Microvascular invasion (MVI) is known to be a major risk associated with worse prognosis after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it can only be detected by microscopic examination of the surgical specimen. By using their routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsies and RNA-sequencing analysis, Beaufrère et al. developed and validated a 6-gene signature panel which can accurately predict MVI preoperatively. Meanwhile, this biogenetical panel was also demonstrated to be independently associated with overall survival after HCC resection.