title: Is BCLC algorithm useful in clinical practice? Study on 164 HCC patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification has been recently validated as the best system for treatment guidance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the usefulness of BCLC in the treatment of HCC comparing our treatment decision and the BCLC algorithm indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 102 patients affected by HCC observed from 1991 to 2002 a retrospective analysis was performed. The choice of treatment was compared with the treatment schedule proposed by BCLC. Whereas the second group of 62 patients observed from 2008 to 2010 was analysed both retrospectively in comparison with the BCLC classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a disagreement in between our decision making and the choices suggested by BCLC. We only found a statistical significance for age and performance status test. In surgical patients the median age and the PST class were lower with a statistically significant p value (0.04 and 0.03, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BCLC system would not have changed our decision either in the past, or in present days, especially in surgical indications. Even if the decision making is affected by BCLC, actually that process still needs the support of the experience of each clinical centre involved.
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Trovato
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sofia
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montineri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fatuzzo
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puleo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome