Effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation on hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A SEER-based study

Abstract

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health issue, accounting for 75%–85% of primary liver cancer cases. HCC has huge molecular heterogeneity, and the treatment varies among the patients. The aim of this study is assess the effect of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation on the mortality risk in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study, obtaining HCC patients' data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The analyses were conducted using the SPSS software. We investigated the effect of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation on the mortality risk factors using the Kaplan–Meier and the Cox regression tests in the univariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 68270 HCC patients, of whom 56347 patients died, were analyzed. In patients who performed surgery, the mortality risk was higher in patients aged ≥50 years, Black, single and widowed, regional and distant stages, and grades II, III, and IV (HR, 1.143), (HR, 1.057), (HR, 1.095), (HR, 1.284), (HR, 1.341), (HR, 2.291), (HR, 1.125), (HR, 1.711), and (HR, 1.894) respectively. In patients who received chemotherapy, the risk was lower in females (HR, 0.948), but higher in widowed (HR, 1.143), in regional and distant stages (HR, 1.479), and (HR, 2.439) respectively, and grades III, and IV (HR, 1.741), and (HR, 1.688) respectively. In patients who received beam radiation, the risk was higher in Black (HR, 1.195), widowed (HR, 1.181), regional (HR, 1.439), and distant stages (HR, 2.287), and in grades III (HR, 1.594), and IV (HR, 1.694). Conclusion In HCC patients, Black, widowed, regional, and distant stages, grades III and IV had higher mortality risks in several treatment options. In patients who underwent surgery, ≥50 years and grade II also had a higher risk. We recommend future research to assess the radiation sequence with surgery.

Prognostic analysis of sex and age in hepatocellular carcinoma: a SEER study

“…Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrate a significantly higher survival rate for female patients who received chemotherapy compared to those who did not, whereas no significant difference was observed among male patients. In a study by Kaif et al based on the SEER database, HCC patients who received chemotherapy also exhibited a significantly longer median OS compared to those who did not receive chemotherapy [29]. These findings aligned with our research results, and collectively, they supported the notion that the decision to receive chemotherapy was one of the crucial factors influencing the prognosis of HCC.…”

“…In a study by Kaif et al . based on the SEER database, HCC patients who received chemotherapy also exhibited a significantly longer median OS compared to those who did not receive chemotherapy [ 29 ]. These findings aligned with our research results, and collectively, they supported the notion that the decision to receive chemotherapy was one of the crucial factors influencing the prognosis of HCC.…”

Catharanthine, an anticancer vinca alkaloid: an in silico and in vitro analysis of the autophagic system as the major mechanism of cell death in liver HepG2 cells

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a significant liver cancer with high recurrence rates and poor prognosis, can be addressed through clinical interventions like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and transplantation [1]. While these interventions can enhance patient survival, their combined use may lead to notable side effects [2,3]. HCC cells can alter genetic and epigenetic processes to evade regulated cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy and increase their survival.…”