Hepatocellular carcinoma in the very elderly: to treat or not to treat?
We report a case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who has two unusual features. The patient was 95 years old at the time of diagnosis and his excellent response to treatment. The authors briefly review the age distribution of HCC and the treatments used. We concluded that therapy should not be arbitrarily withheld based solely on chronological age. Older cancer patients deserve the right to be treated if they so wish.
Arbaje
Y M
YM
University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison 53792.
Carbone
P P
PP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D002945:Cisplatin