Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Elderly: Slash or Burn?

Excerpt

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth-most prevalent cancer in the world, rising to third when cancer-related mortality is factored in [1]. Currently, the median age of patients with HCC is 63 years; its incidence rates increase by 8% in persons with over 65 years, perhaps since aging itself is an accepted risk factor for the development of HCC [2]. Though the definition of ‘elderly’ is defined as 65 years according to the United Nations, some developed countries that have a population mean age over 70 have considered 75 as the threshold age for ‘elderly’ [3]. No matter the cut-off, patients over 65 years of age in general have poorer outcomes after open surgery and aggressive chemotherapy. Therefore, it is important to tailor treatment options for HCC in elderly patients. …