New study shows hope, options for older patients with liver cancer (Transplants successful for older people)

Medical Xpress / University of Kentucky / Journal of the American College of Surgeons ^ | Hilary Brown / Malay B Shah et al

[ConservativeMind]

Physicians and researchers conducted a study of patients over the age of 70 with a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and how the outcomes of ablative treatments compare to liver transplants.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the liver, and when found early enough, can be treated with different therapies. The optimal therapy for these early stage HCC's is liver transplantation. Unfortunately, the need for donated livers far exceeds the demand.

Numerous factors are considered when any patient is being considered for a liver transplant. Surgical data has shown that older patients have poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. This is due, in part, to pre-existing health issues in older patients. More specifically, transplants are invasive and complicated procedures that require extensive post-surgical care and follow up. The risk for complications is high, and older people are particularly susceptible. As a result, fewer elderly patients with HCC are considered as candidates for transplant.

Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that kills or slows the growth of a tumor. If ablation can achieve similar survival benefit to transplant in elderly patients with HCC, perhaps it could be a better, less invasive treatment for them instead of transplant. This would allow transplant centers to utilize scarce donor livers in other patients who have no other alternative to transplant. Conversely, if older patients have good outcomes after transplant compared to ablation therapy alone, then they should be considered for transplant, and age should not be a consideration.

"What we found is that patients over 70 years of age still had a very significant survival benefit from transplant compared to receiving ablative therapy alone and that transplant should still be offered to suitable elderly patients. Liver transplantation remains the standard of care for patients with HCC, regardless of age."

[ConservativeMind]

Age should not be the factor to determine if one should get a liver transplant.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[telescope115]

Agreed! Lucky for me, my hepatologist thought the same way.
I didn’t have HCC, but a combination of cirrhosis caused by Sarcoidosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. My overacting immune system was destroying my liver.
Four years on the waiting list, and I got “ THE CALL” one Sunday morning.
A little after 1PM I was wheeled into the OR, and I woke up about 8 hrs. later, with a new liver.
Went home five days later, and spent the second half of 2021 recuperating.
I’m 68.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Tony Dow died the other day from liver cancer. RIP