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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
Bruno Nardo, MD, PhD common cancer in the elderly population. Despite the
Department of Experimental, established efficacy of screening programs for at-risk
Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, individuals, the diagnosis is usually performed at later
S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. stages of disease. Wherein, the tumour characteristics
Chief of General Surgery Unit, or liver disease progressions do not allow for curative
Annunziata Hospital of Cosenza, therapeutic approach. In the past decades, particularly
University of Bologna, Italy. 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.
