Intertumoral Heterogeneity based on MRI Radiomics Features Predicts prognosis in HCC patients before Hepatectomy

Motivation: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits significant intertumoral heterogeneity, which contributes significantly to treatment resistance and failure. Noninvasive imaging and radiomics for preoperative decoding of the subtypes and prognosis may be valuable in clinical management. Goal(s): To preoperatively develop and validate clustering analysis of HCC based on MRI radiomics features for identifying subtypes with discrete prognosis. Approach: We performed clustering analysis of HCC based on MRI radiomics features to detect distinct subtypes, and subsequently clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were compared and evaluated between different subtypes. Results: Based on the radiomics features of MRI, clustering analysis identified two distinct subtypes with discrete prognosis in HCC patients. Impact: Clustering analysis based on the radiomics features of multiparametric MRI is a potential noninvasive decision-making method for the management of patients with HCC in clinical practice.