Impact of Staging and Treatment on Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Author Information
Author(s): Farinati Fabio, Sergio Adriana, Baldan Anna, Giacomin Anna, Di Nolfo Maria Anna, Del Poggio Paolo, Benvegnu Luisa, Rapaccini Gianludovico, Zoli Marco, Borzio Franco, Giannini Edoardo G, Caturelli Eugenio, Trevisani Franco
Primary Institution: Università degli Studi di Padova
Hypothesis
Does the choice of treatment and adherence to staging guidelines affect survival in early hepatocellular carcinoma patients?
Conclusion
The type of treatment had no significant impact on survival for very early HCC, while treatment type did influence survival in early HCC patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 3% of patients were diagnosed with very early HCC.
- Patients treated according to AASLD guidelines did not show longer survival.
- Survival was significantly better in early HCC patients treated according to guidelines.
Takeaway
Doctors are trying to figure out the best way to treat liver cancer, but it seems that how early the cancer is found matters more than the specific treatment used.
Methodology
Data were collected from 530 patients diagnosed with very early and early HCC, and survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to varying treatment approaches over time and adherence to guidelines.
Limitations
The study's retrospective nature and the long time span of patient recruitment may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
530 patients, including 482 males and 1352 females, diagnosed between 1986 and 2004.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 42–50
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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