Long-term outcome of elderly patients (75 years or older) with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

AIM:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) aged 75 years or older.

METHODS:

The study included 422 patients with HCC, who were divided into two age groups: 75 years or older (n = 140) and younger than 75 (n = 282). Outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:

The number of elderly patients treated with supportive care alone (33 patients; 24%) was significantly higher than younger patients (30 patients; 11%, P < 0.01). The 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year overall survival rates of the elderly patients (81%, 55%, 39% and 23%, respectively) were worse than those of younger patients (85%, 64%, 49% and 36%, respectively, P = 0.042). However, the overall survival rate of the elderly group after excluding 63 patients treated with supportive care alone, was similar to that of the younger group (P = 0.615). Multivariate analysis identified age, total bilirubin levels, albumin levels, serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin levels, tumor size, number of HCC nodules, vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis and treatment modality as independent and significant factors of overall survival.

CONCLUSION:

Advanced age is a negative prognostic factor in patients with HCC due to the tendency for frequent use of conservative treatment rather than locoregional or surgical treatment.

• Authors: Maisa Hori, Masatoshi Tanaka, Eiji Ando, Masahiro Sakata, Shigeo Shimose, Miki Ohno, Shigeru Yutani, Kei Kuraoka, Ryoko Kuromatsu, Shuji Sumie, Michio Sata
• Journal: Hepatology research : the official journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology (Hepatol Res) Vol. 44 Issue 9 Pg. 975-82 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1386-6346 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 24256493 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Japan Society of Hepatology.