Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	118308
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Early recurrence risk stratification of hepatocellular carcinoma receiving preoperative radiotherapy: Incorporating clinical and imaging features across treatment phases
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Rong Cong, Bo Chen, Sai-Nan Cheng, Yi-Rui Zhai, Fan Wu, Bing Feng, Le-Yao Wang, Zhao-Wei Chen, Yong-Jian Zhu, Xiao-Hong Ma and Xin-Ming Zhao
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Beijing Hope Run Special Fund of Cancer Foundation of China LC2022A14 National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding 80102022505
Corresponding Author	Xin-Ming Zhao, Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China. zhaoxinming@cicams.ac.cn
Key Words	Hepatocellular carcinoma; Preoperative radiotherapy; Hepatectomy; Early recurrence; Magnetic resonance imaging
Core Tip	This study developed two models (baseline-preoperative and postoperative combined models) that integrated multimodal factors across multiple treatment stages in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received radiotherapy-based therapy combined with subsequent surgery. These models exhibited comparable and satisfactory performance in predicting early recurrence and allowed risk stratification of early recurrence-free survival, overall recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. Including readily accessible variables, the findings have potential clinical relevance, particularly for preoperative decision-making regarding the timing and personalized planning of surgery after radiotherapy, as well as postoperative management involving adjuvant therapy and close surveillance for high-risk patients.
Citation	Cong R, Chen B, Cheng SN, Zhai YR, Wu F, Feng B, Wang LY, Chen ZW, Zhu YJ, Ma XH, Zhao XM. Early recurrence risk stratification of hepatocellular carcinoma receiving preoperative radiotherapy: Incorporating clinical and imaging features across treatment phases. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2025-12-30 08:00
Peer-Review Started	2025-12-30 08:00
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-15 08:37
Return for Revision	2026-01-15 08:37
Revised	2026-01-28 10:12
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-02-01 11:15
Second Decision by Editor	2026-03-09 02:46
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-03-09 08:34
Articles in Press	2026-03-09 08:34
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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