⚡ Quick Summary
This study explored the use of machine learning algorithms to predict the survivability of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after nephrectomy, analyzing data from 737 patients. The findings revealed that the LASSO-Cox model outperformed traditional methods, demonstrating a C-index of 0.893 and a 5-year AUC of 0.880 in the training set.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Dataset: 737 patients with RCC post-nephrectomy
- 🧩 Features used: Tumor size, preoperative plasma fibrinogen, N stage, Fuhrman grade
- ⚙️ Technologies: LASSO regression, Random Survival Forest (RSF), Cox regression
- 🏆 Performance: LASSO-Cox: C-index 0.893, 5-year AUC 0.880
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 Machine learning can significantly enhance survivability predictions for RCC patients.
- 💡 The LASSO-Cox model demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to traditional Cox models.
- 🔍 Feature selection is crucial for developing effective prognostic models.
- 🏥 Early intervention strategies can be informed by these predictive models.
- 🌟 Significant survival differences were noted between low and high-risk patient groups.
- 📉 The study included a total of 725 cases after exclusions, with 48 deaths during follow-up.
- 📊 Validation results showed consistent performance across training and validation sets.
- 🧬 This research highlights the potential of AI in clinical decision-making for cancer treatment.
📚 Background
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its poor prognosis, leading to significant physical and financial burdens for patients, especially after nephrectomy. Traditional prognostic models often fall short in accurately predicting patient outcomes. The integration of machine learning into clinical practice offers a promising avenue for enhancing the accuracy of survivability predictions, thereby improving patient management and outcomes.
🗒️ Study
This retrospective study analyzed data from 737 patients diagnosed with RCC who underwent nephrectomy. The researchers employed machine learning techniques such as LASSO regression and Random Survival Forest to select important features and construct predictive models. The performance of these models was rigorously evaluated using metrics like the C-index, calibration curves, and area under the curve (AUC).
📈 Results
Out of the initial cohort, 725 patients were included in the final analysis. The LASSO-Cox model achieved a remarkable C-index of 0.893 and a 5-year AUC of 0.880 in the training set, indicating its strong predictive capability. In the validation set, the model maintained a C-index of 0.856 and a 5-year AUC of 0.855. The results demonstrated that the LASSO-Cox model outperformed the RSF-Cox model, particularly in terms of survival prediction and net benefit.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The implications of this study are profound. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, healthcare professionals can better identify high-risk RCC patients, allowing for timely interventions and personalized treatment plans. This approach not only enhances patient care but also optimizes resource allocation within healthcare systems. The findings pave the way for further research into integrating AI technologies in oncology, potentially transforming how we approach cancer treatment.
🔮 Conclusion
This study highlights the transformative potential of machine learning in predicting patient survivability after nephrectomy for RCC. The LASSO-Cox model, with its superior performance, offers a valuable tool for clinicians, aiding in early intervention and informed decision-making. As we continue to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare, the future looks promising for improving patient outcomes through innovative predictive modeling.
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Machine learning algorithms in predicting survivability of patients with renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: a retrospective study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poor prognosis brings great physical suffering and financial burden to patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after nephrectomy. This study aims to explore the application of machine learning for feature selection in predicting survivability and construct a well-performed prognostic model for identifying and managing the high-risk patients.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 737 patients with RCC after nephrectomy. Important features were respectively selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and random survival forest (RSF), and the LASSO-Cox model and RSF-Cox model were constructed in conjunction with Cox regression. And their predictive performance were evaluated and compared by the C-index, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and Kaplan-Meier curve. Besides, a Cox model was constructed using all clinical variables and compared with the C-index and AUC of the two models described above to demonstrate the necessity of feature selection.
RESULTS: A total of 725 cases fitted this study ultimately, of which 48 died during the period of follow-up. The shared variables for the two models were tumor size, preoperative plasma fibrinogen content, N stage, and Fuhrman grade. In the training set, the C-index of the Cox, LASSO-Cox and RSF-Cox was 0.863, 0.893 and 0.874, and the 5-year AUC was 0.816, 0.880 and 0.837. And in the validation set, the C-index was 0.837, 0.856 and 0.821, and the 5-year AUC was 0.790, 0.855 and 0.852. The calibration and DCA curves suggested that the LASSO-Cox model outperformed the RSF-Cox model in survival prediction and net benefit. Significant survival differences were observed between the low and high-risk groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The LASSO-Cox model we constructed has been simplified and obtained higher efficiency, which can help to inform early intervention and clinical decision-making.
Author: [‘Wang P’, ‘Hou Z’, ‘Lv D’, ‘Cui F’, ‘Zhou H’, ‘Wen J’, ‘Shuang W’]
Journal: Chin Clin Oncol
Citation: Wang P, et al. Machine learning algorithms in predicting survivability of patients with renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: a retrospective study. Machine learning algorithms in predicting survivability of patients with renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: a retrospective study. 2025; 14:30. doi: 10.21037/cco-24-137