Topic: Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Elderly

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy globally and the third leading cause of malignancy - related mortality worldwide. The incidence of HCC is still higher in some African and Eastern Asian regions. This cancer represents 3%-6% of all solid tumours in the USA and Europe. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol abuse seem to be the main causes of the spread of HCC in Western countries. HCC is the most common cancer in the elderly population. Despite the established efficacy of screening programs for at-risk individuals, the diagnosis is usually performed at later stages of disease. Wherein, the tumour characteristics or liver disease progressions do not allow for curative therapeutic approach.
In the past decades, particularly in Western countries, the number of geriatric patients undergoing liver surgery has increased significantly. Moreover, studies on the so-called "oldest old" also known as "very elderly" are lacking in this scientific field.
The aim of this Special Issue is to investigate the impact of age on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing HCC resection.

1 Dec 2019