Major Liver Resections for Primary Liver Malignancies in the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our prospective study was to assess the results of major hepatic resections for primary liver tumours in patients 75 years of age or older.

Methods: From 10/1999 to 04/2006, 23 patients with non-cirrhotic livers > 75 years presented to our department to undergo curative resection for primary liver malignancies. Data were collected prospectively. Patients were assigned to two groups. Group A included those with resectable tumours, while Group B was made up of those with unresectable lesions.

Results: Fourteen patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma while 9 had hepatocellular carcinoma. Comorbidities were present in every case. Morbidity and hospital mortality rates for group A patients were 25% and 8%, respectively. The corresponding rates for group B patients were 9% and 9%. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative group A survival was 71%, 51% and 26% for cholangiocarcinoma and 80%, 60% and 60% for hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. The corresponding group B survival was 45%, 18% and 0%.

Conclusion: Advanced age does not seem to negatively affect the outcome of liver resections for malignancies. Hepatic resections in patients 75 years of age or older may be carried out with relative safety as long as patients are appropriately selected.

Key Words:

• Liver resection
• elderly
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• cholangiocarcinoma.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

G.C. Sotiropoulos

G. C. Sotiropoulos, M.D. Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery University Hospital Essen Hufelandstr. 55 D-45122 Essen, Germany Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]