Changing outlook for colorectal liver metastasis resection in the elderly

Resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in octogenarians: a single-center analysis

The rapidly aging population in industrialized countries comes with an increased incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) which presents new challenges for oncological treatments especially in elderly patients. Thus, the question arises to what extent the benefit of surgical resections, as the only curative treatment option, outweighs possible perioperative risks in patients ≥ 80 years of age (octogenarians). We therefore retrospectively analyzed 311 patients who underwent resection for iCC at Hannover Medical School between January 1996 and December 2022. In total, there were 11 patients older than 80 years in our collective. Despite similar tumor size, octogenarians underwent comparatively less extensive surgery (54.5% major resections in octogenarians vs. 82.7% in all other patients; p = 0.033) with comparable rates of lymphadenectomy and tumor-free resection margins. Furthermore, we did not observe increased major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIa complications: 27.3% vs. 34.3% in all other patients; p = 0.754) or mortality (estimated 1-year OS of 70.7% vs. 72.5% in all other patients, p = 0.099). The length of intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate care unit (IMC) stay was significantly longer in octogenarians, however, with a comparable length in total hospital stay. The estimated overall survival (OS) did also not differ significantly, although a trend towards reduced long-term survival was observed (14.5 months vs. 28.03 months in all other patients; p = 0.099). In conclusion, primary resection is a justifiable and safe therapeutic option even in octogenarians but requires an even more thorough preoperative patient selection.

Survival analysis and identification of prognostic factors in colorectal liver metastasis after liver resection

INTRODUCTION

Liver resection is the only curative treatment for colorectal liver metastasis. The identification of predictive factors leads to personalize patient management to enhance their long-term outcomes. This population-based study aimed to characterize factors associated with, and survival impact of patients who received hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of all the hepatectomies for colorectal liver metastasis performed at third-level hospital of Spain (2010-2018) was conducted. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analyses. Multivariable Cox and regression models were used to determine prognostic factors associated with overall survival.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 42 and 33%, respectively. Survival analysis showed that metastasis features (number, largest size, distribution, and extrahepatic disease) and postsurgical factors (transfusion, major complications, and positive margin resection), as well as non-mutated KRAS, showed a significant association with survival. Otherwise, on multivariate analysis, only 5 independent risk factors were identified: major size metastasis >4 cm, RAS mutation, positive margin resection, intraoperative transfusion, and major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our findings, major size metastasis >4 cm, intraoperative transfusion, and major postoperative complications continue to be traditional prognostic factors. Meanwhile, the KRAS biomarker has a powerful impact as a survival prognostic factor.

Survival Benefit of Surgical Treatment for Elderly Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the SEER Database by Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Despite a rising trend in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) incidence in the elderly population worldwide, the benefit of surgery for those patients is still controversial. Data from 811 elderly patients diagnosed with non-metastatic ICC were obtained from the US surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) program database. Propensity score matched (PSM) was conducted for the better balance of baseline. The associations between tumor characteristics and surgery with overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) were estimated using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results showed that ICC patients above 60 years old taking surgery had better OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.258; 95% CI, 0.205–0.324) and CSS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.239; 95% CI, 0.188–0.303) than patients without surgery. Similar trends in patients above 65 years old, above 70 years old, above 75 years old, and above 80 years old were observed, separately. This benefit was also showed in lymph node-negative (N0) and lymph node-positive (N1) subgroups and N0 patients are more likely to take an advantage from surgery than N1 patients. The different outcomes between surgery and non-surgery suggest that surgical treatment may be recommended for elderly ICC if the tumor is resectable to ensure optimal treatment.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 90-day and 30-day mortality after liver resection in the elderly

BACKGROUND

With the aging population worldwide, the number of elderly patients presenting for liver resection because of liver malignancies is increasing. Data on the perioperative mortality in this population are limited and contradictory. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the mortality of elderly patients after hepatectomy.

METHODS

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, we searched 3 databases to identify studies that investigated 30-day and 90-day mortality after hepatectomy for patients ≥65 years of age. We categorized the patients by age into 4 groups (≥65, ≥70, ≥75, and ≥80 years), which were analyzed separately for mortality. All analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 28.

RESULTS

Using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, we identified 441 articles. After study selection and quality assessment, we included 66 studies consisting of 29,998 patients in the final meta-analysis. The pooled estimates for 30-day and 90-day mortality in the ≥65, ≥70, ≥75, and ≥80 age groups years were 1.3% (95% confidence interval 0.59%-2.06%), 2.8% (95% confidence interval 1.80%-3.69%), 3.0% (95% confidence interval 1.68%-4.30%), and 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.22%-2.20%) and 2.7% (95% confidence interval 1.45%-3.87%), 2.8% (95% confidence interval 1.49%-4.02%), 5.1% (95% confidence interval 2.76%-7.42%), and 2.4% (95% confidence interval 0.60%-4.16%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis summarizes the 30-day and 90-day mortality rates after liver resection in the elderly patients. Liver resection in this population selected for surgery appears to be relatively safe. Advanced age alone may not be a sufficient exclusion criterion for surgery. These age-specific mortality data can be used to educate patients at the time of preoperative counseling.

Oncological liver resection in elderly - A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

Due to demographic changes and higher life expectancy especially in industrial nations, the number of liver resections in patients ≥70 years is rising. It is known that older age is associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality after surgery under general anesthesia. The aim of this analysis is to compare the postoperative outcome after liver resections for malignancies in patients aged below and above 70 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospectively collected electronic database of 1034 liver resections between 01/2013 and 12/2019 was retrospectively analyzed. Comparative analysis of patients <70 and ≥ 70 years receiving liver resections for malignancies included 889 operations in 703 patients. Analysis of postoperative outcome and uni- and multivariate analyses of associated risk factors were performed.

RESULTS

Median age of the whole cohort was 65 years (range 18-87 years). N = 582 liver resections (65.7%) were performed in patients <70 years with 42.8% major hepatectomies and n = 307 (34.3%) liver resections in patients ≥70 years with 50.5% major hepatectomies (p = 0.034). Relevant postoperative morbidity of the whole cohort was 27.9%. The 30-day mortality was 3.9% and re-operation rate 14.8%. Patients ≥70 years had significantly higher postoperative morbidity and mortality rates than patients <70 years. Major resections, longer operating time, need of intraoperative transfusions of blood products as well as biliodigestive anastomosis (BDA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) resection were independent risk factors for worse postoperative outcome.

CONCLUSION

Liver resections in patients ≥70 years are associated with a worse postoperative course after. Parenchyma sparing resections should be preferred in those patients.

Outcomes of simultaneous resection for elderly patients with colorectal liver metastasis: A propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence on simultaneous resection for elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is lacking.

METHODS

Four hundred and eighty-two CRLM patients treated by simultaneous resection were categorised into young group (age < 70 years) and elderly group (age ≥ 70 years). Propensity score matching (PSM1) was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics and compare short-term outcomes. An additional propensity score matching (PSM2) including short-term outcomes was performed to analyse survival. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients stratified by the Clinical Risk Score (CRS).

RESULTS

After PSM1, 87 young group patients were matched to 50 elderly group patients. Patients in the elderly group had a significantly higher rate of overall post-operative complications (68.0% vs. 46.0%, p = 0.013). After PSM2, 89 young group patients were matched to 47 elderly group patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) was comparable between the two groups (median 11.0 months vs. 9.8 months, p = 0.346). Age ≥ 70 independently predicted worse overall survival (OS) (Hazard ratio, HR = 2.57, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.37-4.82) in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup multivariate analysis of patients with CRS score 3-5, age ≥ 70 was independently associated with worse PFS (HR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.01-2.62) and OS (HR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.26-4.35).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous resection for elderly CRLM patients is acceptable. Further studies are required to determine the optimal treatment for elderly CRLM patients with high CRS scores.

Liver resection in elderly patients with extensive CRLM: Are we offering an adequate treatment? A propensity score matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Data on the management of elderly patients with extensive colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are scarce and conflicting. This study assesses differences in management and long-term oncological outcomes between older and younger patients with CRLM and a high Tumour Burden Score (TBS).

METHODS

International multicentre retrospective study on patients with CRLM and a category 3 TBS, submitted to liver resection. Patients were divided into two groups according to their age (younger and older than 75) and were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and multivariable regression models. Differences in management and oncological outcomes including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 386 patients, median follow-up was 48 months. The unmatched comparison revealed a higher ASA score (p = 0.035), less synchronous CRLM (47% vs 68%, p = 0.003), a lower median number of lesions (1 vs 3, p = 0.004) and less perioperative chemotherapy (CTx) (66% vs 88%, p < 0.001) in the elderly group. Despite the absence of CTx being an independent predictor of decreased RFS and OS (HR 0.760, p = 0.044 and HR 0.719, p = 0.049, respectively), the elderly group still received less CTx (OR 0.317, p = 0.001) than the younger group. After PSM (n = 100 patients), the two groups were comparable, however, CTx administration was still significantly lower in the elderly group.

CONCLUSION

Liver resection should be considered in patients aged 75 and older, even if they present with extensive liver disease. Despite CTx being associated with improved oncological outcomes, a large percentage of elderly patients with CRLM are undertreated.

Short-term postoperative outcomes after liver resection in the elderly patient: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Liver resection is high-risk surgery in particular in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to explore postoperative outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients.

METHODS

In this nationwide study, all patients who underwent liver resection for primary and secondary liver tumours in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2019 were included. Age groups were composed as younger than 70 (70-), between 70 and 80 (septuagenarians), and 80 years or older (octogenarians). Proportion of liver resections per age group and 30-day major morbidity and 30-day mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 6587 patients were included of whom 4023 (58.9%) were younger than 70, 2135 (32.4%) were septuagenarians and 429 (6.5%) were octogenarians. The proportion of septuagenarians increased during the study period (aOR:1.06, CI:1.02-1.09, p < 0.001). Thirty-day major morbidity was higher in septuagenarians (11%) and octogenarians (12%) compared to younger patients (9%, p = 0.049). Thirty-day mortality was higher in septuagenarians (4%) and octogenarians (4%) compared to younger patients (2%, p < 0.001). Cardiopulmonary complications occurred more frequently with higher age, liver-specific complications did not. Higher age was associated with higher 30-day morbidity and 30-day mortality in multivariable logistic regression.

CONCLUSION

Thirty-day major morbidity and 30-day mortality are higher after liver resection in elderly patients, attributed mainly to non-surgical cardiopulmonary complications.

Major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in elderly patients: is it reasonable?

Introduction

We sought to evaluate the effect of age on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing major liver surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC).

Methods

77 patients were included. Patients were categorized into two groups: the “< 70-year-olds” group (n = 54) and the “≥ 70-year-olds” group (n = 23).

Results

Median LOS was 19 both for < 70-year-old group and ≥ 70-year-old group (P = 0.72). No differences in terms of severe complication were detected (44.4% Clavien–Dindo 3–4–5 in < 70-year-old group vs 47.8% in ≥ 70-year-old group, P = 0.60). Within 90 postoperative days, 11 patients died, 6 in < 70-year-old group (11.3%) and 5 in ≥ 70-year-old group (21.7%), P = 0.29. The median follow‐up was 20 months. The death rate was 72.2% and 78.3% among patients < 70 years old and ≥ 70 years old. The OS at 2 and 5 years was significantly higher among the < 70 years old (57.0% and 27.7%) compared to the ≥ 70 years old (27.1% and 13.6%), P = 0.043. Adjusting for hypertension and Charlson comorbidity index in a multivariate analysis, the HR for age was 1.93 (95% CI 0.84–4.44), P = 0.12. Relapse occurred in 43 (81.1%) patients in the < 70-year-old group and in 19 (82.6%) patients in the ≥ 70-year-old group. DFS at 12, 24, and 36 months was, respectively, 59.6, 34.2, and 23.2 for the < 70 -year-old group and 32.5, 20.3, and 13.5 for the ≥ 70-year-old group (P = 0.26). Adjusting for hypertension and Charlson comorbidity index in a Cox model, the HR for age was 1.52 (95% CI 0.67–3.46), with P = 0.32.

Conclusions

 ≥ 70-year-old patients with PHCC can still be eligible for major liver resection with acceptable complication rates and should not be precluded a priori from a radical treatment.

How to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary tumour of the liver with the greatest incidence, particularly in the elderly. Additionally, improvements in the treatments for chronic liver diseases have increased the number of elderly patients who might be affected by HCC. Little evidence exists regarding HCC in old patients, and the elderly are still underrepresented and undertreated in clinical trials. In fact, this population represents a complex subgroup of patients who are hard to manage, especially due to the presence of multiple comorbidities. Therefore, the choice of treatment is mainly decided by the physician in the clinical practice, who often tend not to treat elderly patients in order to avoid the possibility of adverse events, which may alter their unstable equilibrium. In this context, the clarification of the optimal treatment strategy for elderly patients affected by HCC has become an urgent necessity. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the available data regarding the treatment of HCC in elderly patients, starting from the definition of "elderly" and the geriatric assessment and scales. We explain the possible treatment choices according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) scale and their feasibility in the elderly population.

Intra-operative anaesthetic management of older patients undergoing liver surgery

Older patients represent a growing proportion of the general surgical caseload. This includes those undergoing liver resection, with figures rising faster than the rate of population ageing. The physiology of ageing leads to changes in all body systems which may render the provision of safe anaesthesia more challenging than in younger patients. Anaesthesia for liver surgery has specific principles, largely aimed at reducing venous bleeding from the liver, and those related to complex major surgery. This review explores the principles of anaesthesia for liver resection and describes how they may require modification in the older patient. The traditional approach of low central venous pressure anaesthesia in order to reduce bleeding may need to be altered in the presence of a cardiovascular system less able to tolerate hypotension and hypoperfusion. These changes in physiology should also lower the threshold for invasive monitoring. The provision of effective analgesia perioperatively should be tailored to minimise the surgical stress response and opiate use. Careful consideration of general principles of intra-operative care for older patients, such as positioning, drug dosing, avoidance of excessively deep anaesthesia, and maintenance of normothermia are also important given the prolonged, complex nature of liver surgery. This individualised approach, with careful attention to changes in physiology allows liver resections to be undertaken in older patients without increases in mortality.

Outcomes following potentially curative therapies for older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Older age represents a major risk factor for developing colorectal cancer and the disease disproportionately affects patients older than 60 years of age. However, knowledge regarding the optimal management of older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains limited. The challenge of treating older patients arises in tailoring treatments to a heterogeneous cohort whilst adjusting for individuals with a wide variation of physiological reserve, a reduced tolerance to treatment side-effects and morbidity, and often different priorities as compared with younger patients. Data from the published literature supports the premise that older age alone is not an acceptable determinant of treatment options. In particular, patients aged 65-70 years with mCRC ought to be considered similarly to younger patients and patients aged 70-74 also stand to benefit from both hepatic resection and systemic therapy notwithstanding the higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients aged 75-79, and with sufficient physiological reserve ought to be considered for curative treatment options which are proportional to the extent of metastatic disease. Meanwhile, in patients aged ≥80 years, life-extending or life-enhancing benefit ought to be demonstrable prior to embarking upon major surgery as a curative treatment option. Older patients who meet the physiological eligibility criteria to enter clinical trials of systemic chemotherapy appear to gain similar benefit as younger patients and should not be excluded on the basis of age alone. Clinical trials that are specifically designed for older patients are feasible and could yield valuable information to guide clinical practice.

Symptom and functional recovery monitoring in thoracic surgery

Curative-intent surgery is the treatment of choice for thoracic malignancies, including lung cancer. There is significant complexity and uncertainty associated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and surgical treatment decision-making in thoracic surgery. From a patient point of view, this complexity and uncertainty can be overwhelming. Therefore, for high-quality cancer care, an emphasis on patient-centered care-including the improvement in quality of life (QOL) through symptom and functional monitoring-is essential. Using the current literature and our previous research, the purpose of this paper is to: (I) review the current evidence on symptom and functional monitoring in surgery; (II) describe strategies to monitor symptoms and functional recovery in surgery; and (III) describe a model of patient-centered care in thoracic surgery.

Liver resection for colorectal liver-limited metastases in elderly patients: a propensity score matching analysis

Background

Few studies have focused on the role of hepatectomy for colorectal liver-limited metastases in elderly patients compared to matched younger patients.

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2018, 724 patients underwent hepatectomy for colorectal liver-limited metastases. Based on a 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) model, 64 elderly patients (≥ 70 years of age) were matched to 128 younger patients (< 70 years of age) to obtain two balanced groups with regard to demographic, therapeutic, and prognostic factors.

Results

There were 73 elderly and 651 younger patients in the unmatched cohort. Compared with the younger group (YG), the elderly group (EG) had significantly higher proportion of American Society of Anesthesiologists score III and comorbidities and lower proportion of more than 3 liver metastases and postoperative chemotherapy (p < 0.05). After PSM for these factors, rat sarcoma virus proto-oncogene/B-Raf proto-oncogene (RAS/BRAF) mutation status and primary tumor sidedness, the EG had significantly less median intraoperative blood loss than the YG (175 ml vs. 200 ml, p = 0.046), a shorter median postoperative hospital stay (8 days vs. 11 days, p = 0.020), and a higher readmission rate (4.7% vs.0%, p = 0.036). The EG also had longer disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) compared to the YG, but these findings were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Old age was not an independent factor for DFS, OS, and CSS by Cox multivariate regression analysis (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Hepatectomy is safe for colorectal liver-limited metastases in elderly patients, and these patients may subsequently benefit from prolonged DFS, OS, and CSS.

Resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in elderly patients - is it reasonable?

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarinoma (ICC) has a rising incidence in western countries. Often major or extended resections are necessary for complete tumor removal. Due to demographical trends the number of elderly patients diagnosed with ICC is rising accordingly. Aim of this study is to show whether resection of ICC in elderly patients is reasonable or not.

Methods

Between January 2008 and June 2018 all consecutive patients with ICC were collected. Analyses were focussed on the performed resection, its extent, postoperative morbidity and mortality as well as survival. Statistics were performed with Chi² test for categorical data and for survival analyses the Kaplan Meier model with log rank test was used.

Results

In total 210 patients underwent surgical exploration with 150 resections (71.4%). Patients were divided in 70-years cut-off groups (> 70 vs < 70 years of age) as well as a young (age 30–50, n = 23), middle-age (50–70, n = 76) and old (> 70, n = 51) group, whose results are presented here. Resectability (p = 0.709), extent of surgery (p = 0.765), morbidity (p = 0.420) and mortality (p = 0.965) was comparable between the different age groups. Neither visceral (p = 0.991) nor vascular (p = 0.614) extension differed significantly, likewise tumor recurrence (p = 0.300) or the localisation of recurrence (p = 0.722). In comparison of patients > or < 70 years of age, recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly better for the younger group (p = 0.047). For overall survival (OS) a benefit could be shown, but without reaching significance (p = 0.072). In subgroup analysis the middle-age group had significant better OS (p = 0.020) and RFS (p = 0.038) compared to the old group. Additionally, a better OS (p = 0.076) and RFS (p = 0.179) was shown in comparison with the young group as well, but without reaching significance. The young compared to the old group had analogous OS (p = 0.931) and RFS (p = 0.845).

Conclusion

Resection of ICC in elderly patients is not associated with an increased perioperative risk. Even extended resections can be performed in elderly patients without obvious disadvantages. Middle-age patients have a clear benefit for OS and RFS, while young and old patients have a comparable and worse long-term outcome.