Pain at presentation and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pain is a common feature of most human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The reported frequency is quite variable, however, and the prognostic significance is not clear. In this report, we examine the incidence of pain in a large HCC database derived from unresectable patients whom we have treated and examine the prognostic and clinical correlates. We report that HCC patients with pain at presentation have a worse prognosis and adverse tumor characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
This article presents one of the first looks at correlates of pain and survival in HCC. Results of this study could inform future research and clinical investigations regarding the importance of pain at presentation in patients with HCC, which impacts qualify of life and survival.
Carr
Brian I
BI
Department of Medical Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. brian.carr@jefferson.edu
Pujol
Lynette
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends