fig4

Figure 4. Example of an ellipsoid HCC (author’s own image) (A); the difference in TTV if tumours are spherical or ellipsoid. Considering a single tumour nodule of 5 cm in diameter and varying the diameter to create an ellipsoid. Student’s t-test was conducted showing a significant difference between the volume of ellipsoid versus the corresponding volume of the tumours, assumed to be spherical [t(123) = -2.470, P = 0.015] (B); a comparison of the two methods of measuring tumour volume. Student’s t-test showed that the mathematical equation method significantly overestimates tumour volume compared to the planimetry software [t(141) = 3.381, P = 0.001] (C); overall survival of all patients with TTV within a theoretical volume-based Milan criteria. Patients then divided according to diameter-based criteria. Survival analysis was conducted to show a significant difference in survival between the two patient groups (log rank test chi-square = 21.4, P = 0.0001) (D). HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; TTV: total tumour volume