A comparative analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection in young versus elderly patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the elderly patients compared with younger patients.


METHODS
Clinicopathological data and treatment outcomes in 61 elderly (≥70 years old) and 90 younger (≤40 years old) patients with HCC who underwent curative liver resection between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively collected and compared using various parameters.


RESULTS
The older HCC group was more likely to have hepatitis C virus and non-B non-C hepatitis virus infection, higher values of indocyanine green retention at 15 min (ICGR)(15), more preoperative comorbidities, and more postoperative complications. There were no significant differences in intraoperative parameters and pathologic features. The recurrence rate, overall survival and disease-free survival rates were similar amongst the two groups. The only independent prognostic factor of overall survival was postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that age by itself does not have an adverse effect on operative outcomes, including long-term prognosis. For young and elderly HCC patients, hepatic resection is a safe and effective treatment.
Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Cho Rok
CR
Lee
Jin Hong
JH
Lim
Sung Hoon
SH
Kim
Sang Hoon
SH
Ahn
Young Nyun
YN
Park
Gi Hong
GH
Choi
Jin Sub
JS
Choi
Kyung Sik
KS
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult