Perioperative Lymphopenia is Associated with Increased Risk of Recurrence and Worse Survival Following Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Immune dysregulation may be associated with cancer progression. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of perioperative lymphopenia on short- and long-term outcomes among patients undergoing resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients undergoing resection of HCC between 2000 and 2020 were identified using an international database. The incidence and impact of perioperative lymphopenia [preoperative, postoperative day (POD) 1/3/5], defined as absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) <1000/μL, on short- and long-term outcomes was assessed. Among 1448 patients, median preoperative ALC was 1593/μL [interquartile range (IQR) 1208–2006]. The incidence of preoperative lymphopenia was 14.0