A Comparative Analysis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatic Resection in Young versus Elderly Patients

Purpose: 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. Conclusion: 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.