Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42122161›Full record

ArticleCancers2026

Multiphasic Evidential Decision-Making Matrix (MedMax) for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Single-Center Validation Study.

Ali Ramouz, Ali Adeliansedehi, Behboud Moeini Chagervand, Nastaran Sabetkish, Benjamin Goeppert, Christoph Springfeld, Elias Khajeh, Arianeb Mehrabi, Ali Majlesara

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Article in Cancers, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ali RamouzDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Ali AdeliansedehiDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Behboud Moeini ChagervandDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Nastaran SabetkishDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Benjamin GoeppertInstitute of Pathology, RKH Klinikum, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Christoph SpringfeldDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Elias KhajehDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Arianeb MehrabiDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Ali MajlesaraDepartment of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ihCC) is a rare aggressive liver malignancy with rising incidence. For resectable cases, surgery is the only curative approach, but recurrence rates remain high. These challenges highlight the need for personalized, evidence-based clinical decision-making to improve patient outcomes. To address this, we developed the Multiphasic Evidential Decision-making Matrix (MedMax) to support systematic, individualized therapeutic strategies for ihCC.

methodsIn this retrospective single-center study, between 2010 and 2020, we assessed the ability of the MedMax matrix to make treatment decisions in 489 consecutive patients with ihCC or suspected ihCC. Patients were divided into two cohorts depending on whether their tumor was operable (surgical cohort, n = 335) or non-operable (non-surgical cohort, n = 154). We assessed the accuracy of diagnostic confirmation and treatment allocation by MedMax and evaluated how the model's recommendations corresponded to those made by the tumor board.

resultsIn the surgical cohort, MedMax achieved 100% accuracy in diagnostic confirmation and 97.9% accuracy in treatment allocation. There was 74.3% concordance between the resection type proposed by MedMax and actual extent of resection. This discrepancy was caused by deviations from the preoperative plan based on intraoperative findings, which could not have been predicted preoperatively. In the non-surgical cohort, MedMax again achieved 100% accuracy in diagnostic confirmation and 98.7% accuracy in treatment allocation. All discrepancies between the decisions made by MedMax and those made by the tumor board were attributed complex, high-risk patient profiles. MedMax reliably identified risk factors (such as advanced comorbidities and multifocal disease) in both cohorts.

conclusionsThe MedMax matrix can make accurate, reliable and transparent decisions about the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ihCC thanks to its modular, evidence-based approach. It can also stratify and document risks in both surgical and non-surgical settings.

Indexed as

decision matrixindividualized therapyintrahepatic cholangiocarcinomaMedMaxretrospective validationsurgical decision-making

Identifiers

PMID42122161
PMCPMC13163018

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