OBJECTIVES: To understand the characteristics of primary liver cancer (PLC) in the elderly and summarize the experience in treatment of such patients.
METHODS: The clinical data of PLC in the elderly group (≥60 years, 125 patients) and the young group (≤59 years, 295 patients) were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: In the elderly group, 64 patients were found HBsAg positive, 39 patients small PLC, 24 large PLC, 15 tumor emboli in the portal vein, 86 AFP positive, and 34 hepatectomy performed. In the young group, 205 patients were found HBsAg positive, 79 patients small PLC, 97 large PLC, 96 tumor emboli in the portal vein, 200 AFP positive, and 126 hepatectomy performed. The median survival was 44 and 25 months respectively, and no significant difference was observed in the mortality between the two groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy is a choice of treatment for PLC in the elderly based on their liver function. AFP and B-ultrasonography are important methods for the diagnosis of PLC in the elderly.