GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Korea.^1,2 A substantial proportion of patients diagnosed with HCC are elderly, and older age is recognized as a significant risk factor for development of HCC.³ Over the past few decades, advances in the treatment of chronic liver diseases have resulted in increased life expectancy, resulting in growing number of elderly patients affected by HCC.⁴ Furthermore, the elderly population in Korea exceeded 14% in 2018, contributing to the increasing disease burden among this age group of HCC patients.⁵

Currently, the progression of viral hepatitis has been delayed by the development of antiviral drugs, resulting in a decrease in the incidence of HCC in Asia, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B.⁶ However, despite an overall decrease in the incidence of total HCC in South Korea from 2008 to 2018, there has been a continued increase in the age-standardized incidence of HCC among elderly individuals.⁷ Projections indicate that the crude incidence of HCC in the elderly is expected to increase, accounting for 21.3% of the total HCC population by 2028. This increasing incidence in the elderly population can be partly attributed to the limitations of current antiviral agents, which still carry the risk of developing HCC during long-term treatment.⁸

Despite the significant increase in the disease burden of HCC among elderly individuals, there remains considerable controversy regarding the appropriate treatment options for managing this patient population.⁹ One of the primary factors contributing to this controversy is the lack of representation of elderly patients in clinical trials, which has led to undertreatment for this group.⁹ Concerns related to co-existing comorbidities, fragility, and decreased liver function further complicate treatment decisions. However, several studies investigating the feasibility and safety of various therapeutic approaches in elderly patients with HCC have shown that advanced age is not a contraindication for treatment. These findings highlight the need for an active treatment approach for elderly patients with HCC. A recent study reported that elderly patients who received active treatment had a higher overall survival (OS) rate than those who did not.¹⁰

In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of HCC treatment in elderly patients, focusing specifically on different tumor stages. We used data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a comprehensive and representative database of patients newly diagnosed with primary liver cancer in Korea.

METHODS

1. Patients

Patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR between January 2008 and December 2017 were screened. The KPLCR is a representative sample of patients with newly diagnosed primary liver cancer that was randomly extracted from the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR), which registers more than 95% of all cancer cases in Korea. Approximately 15% of the patients with newly diagnosed primary liver cancer in the KCCR were selected for inclusion in the KPLCR after stratification based on region and hospital.

The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age <18 years, (2) patients who received their initial treatment more than 120 days after the date of diagnosis, (3) patients lacking information on the treatment modality, (4) insufficient followup period (<6 months), and (5) insufficient clinical or laboratory information (Supplementary Fig. 1). The requirement for written informed consent was waived due to the retrospective nature of this study. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Ewha Womans University Hospital waived the need for IRB approval and written informed consent (IRB No. 2023-02-028) because the KPLCR data were collected anonymously as part of the KCCR in accordance with the cancer control act. The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guidelines were followed (Supplementary Table 1).

2. Data collection and definitions

Elderly was defined as individuals who are 65 years of age or older. HCC was diagnosed based on histological evidence or dynamic computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (nodule >1 cm with arterial hypervascularity and portal/delayed-phase washout).¹¹

Patient data were collected from the medical records at each hospital where the HCC diagnosis was made. Trained data recorders from the KCCR affiliated with each hospital examined the medical records. These data recorders, who were well trained and experienced in handling cancer registry data, followed standardized procedures for data extraction. They used a standardized case record form specifically designed for this study to ensure consistency and uniformity of the data collection. To maintain data quality and accuracy, the extracted data were further validated by statisticians affiliated with both the KCCR and KPLCR. These statisticians reviewed the collected data, conducted quality checks, and ensured data reliability.

The collected data included baseline characteristics such as demographic information, laboratory results, tumor variables, and treatment-related factors such as treatment methods and patient OS. Diagnostic imaging techniques such as dynamic CT or MRI scans were employed to assess tumor characteristics. The modified Union for International Cancer Control (mUICC) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging systems were used for staging. OS was measured from the date of HCC diagnosis to death from any cause. Information from death certificates was acquired from the national statistical data collected by the Korean Ministry of Government Administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs. To ensure the identification and tracking of individual patients throughout the study, a distinct 13-digit resident registration number assigned to all Koreans was used for each patient. Data collection was completed on December 31, 2020, the data cut-off date.

3. Statistical analysis

Data are presented as either numbers with percentages or medians with interquartile ranges (IQR), depending on the nature of the variables. The statistical significance of the differences between continuous and categorical variables was assessed using either a student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and a chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. The OS of the patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival between the groups were compared using the log-rank test.

Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was employed to correct for selection bias, and the propensity score was calculated using binary logistic regression. In addition, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted independently in both cohorts to ensure reproducibility of the results. For PSM, a nearest-neighbor 1:1 matching method with a caliper size of 0.1 was used. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 21.0; IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Two-sided P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

1. Baseline characteristics of elderly and non-elderly patients

Table 1 provides an overview of the baseline characteristics of the elderly and non-elderly patients. The median age of the elderly patients was 72.0 years, and that of the non-elderly patients was 54.0 years (P<0.001). When comparing comorbidities, a higher proportion of the elderly patients had diabetes (34.8% vs. 21.0%) and hypertension (52.4% vs. 23.8%) than non-elderly patients (all P<0.001). Elderly patients had a lower prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (33.8% vs. 75.8%) but a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (17.7% vs. 5.7%), alcoholic liver disease (18.1% vs. 8.7%), and other liver diseases (30.4% vs. 9.8%) than non-elderly patients (P<0.001). The median model for end-stage liver disease score was significantly higher in elderly patients than in non-elderly patients (9.0 vs. 8.0; P=0.015).

Among elderly patients, a single tumor was observed in 62.0% of cases, while among non-elderly patients, it was observed in 61.0% of cases. The median maximal tumor diameter was larger in elderly patients than in non-elderly patients, measuring 3.5 and 3.0 cm, respectively (P<0.001). Using the mUICC staging system, stages I, II, III, IV-A, and IV-B accounted for 13.4%, 40.0%, 28.0%, 9.9%, and 8.7%, respectively, of elderly patients, and 16.1%, 35.9%, 24.0%, 13.1%, and 10.9% of non-elderly patients, respectively. According to the BCLC staging system, stages 0, A, B, C, and D accounted for 10.0%, 39.2%, 14.2%, 15.6%, and 16.0% respectively, of elderly patients and 11.7%, 35.5%, 10.8%, 19.2%, and 17.2% of non-elderly patients, respectively.

2. Change in the proportion of elderly patients

The proportion of elderly patients among all included patients has been increasing gradually. The specific percentages are 33.5% in 2008, 33.8% in 2009, 35.9% in 2010, 34.5% in 2011, 37.4% in 2012 and 2013, 40.0% in 2014, 40.7% in 2015, 44.9% in 2016, and 45.9% in 2017 (Fig. 1).

3. Initial treatment modality in elderly and non-elderly patients

Table 2 presents the initial treatment modalities for the elderly and non-elderly patients. A higher proportion of patients in the elderly group did not receive any treatment after the diagnosis of HCC than those in the non-elderly group (25.2% vs. 16.7%). In early-stage HCC (BCLC stage 0 or A), a lower proportion of patients in the elderly group received surgical treatments, including resection and liver transplantation, than in the non-elderly group (23.9% vs. 39.5%). In contrast, a higher proportion of patients in the elderly group received transarterial therapy than in the non-elderly group (45.0% vs. 36.3%). Local ablation therapy was performed in 19.2% of elderly and 19.0% of non-elderly patients. Among patients with intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC stage B), the proportion receiving transarterial therapy was 63.0% in the elderly and 63.8% in the non-elderly patients. A lower proportion of elderly patients received surgical treatment than non-elderly patients (11.6% vs. 17.7%). In advanced-stage HCC (BCLC stage C), a lower proportion of patients in the elderly group received transarterial (34.9% vs. 42.9%) or systemic therapy (16.5% vs. 21.2%) than in the non-elderly group.

4. Overall survival

The median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients with a median OS of 34.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.4-35.6) in the elderly group and 54.8 months (95% CI, 50.7-58.9) in the non-elderly group (log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 2A). The 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates were 71.2%, 48.2%, and 32.7%, respectively, in elderly patients and 76.2%, 60.0%, and 48.9%, respectively, in non-elderly patients. The median OS was significantly longer in elderly patients who received any HCC treatment compared to those who did not, with a median OS of 38.6 months (95% CI, 37.3-39.9) in the treated group and 22.3 months (95% CI, 19.7-24.9) in the untreated group (log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 2B). OS rates according to HCC stages and treatment modalities are presented in Table 3.

1) Early-stage HCC

In patients with early-stage HCC (BCLC stage 0 or A), the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (41.6 months [95% CI, 38.9-44.3] vs. 111.6 months [95% CI, 106.6-116.6]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Supplementary Fig. 2). The median OS was significantly longer in elderly patients who received any HCC treatment compared to those who did not, with a median OS of 44.7 months (95% CI, 40.8-48.6) in the treated group and 21.3 months (95% CI, 13.8-28.8) in the untreated group (log-rank test, P<0.001).

The OS of elderly and non-elderly patients with early-stage HCC was compared based on treatment modality. In patients who underwent surgery, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (86.3 months [95% CI, 77.0-95.6] vs. 133.9 months [95% CI, 127.7-140.1]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 3A). Similar results were obtained between the elderly and non-elderly groups after IPTW analysis (median OS, 97.4 months [95% CI, 92.0-102.8] vs. 138.0 months [95% CI, 126.1-141.7]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 3B).

In patients who recieved local ablation therapy, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (65.9 months [95% CI, 50.4-81.4] vs. 127.8 months [95% CI, 120.9-134.7]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 3C). However, after performing IPTW analysis, the median OS of elderly patients was found to be comparable to that of non-elderly patients. (median OS, 82.2 months [95% CI, 74.7-89.7] vs. 105.5 months [95% CI, 99.1-111.9]; log-rank test, P=0.052) (Fig. 3D).

Finally, in patients who received transarterial therapy, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (38.5 months [95% CI, 36.3-40.7] vs. 85.2 months [95% CI, 78.8-91.6]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 3E). However, after performing IPTW analysis, elderly patients had comparable median OS to that of non-elderly patients (median OS, 42.6 months [95% CI, 39.6-45.6] vs. 56.9 months [95% CI, 47.6-66.2]; log-rank test, P=0.079) (Fig. 3F).

2) Intermediate-stage HCC

In patients with intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC stage B), the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared with non-elderly patients (34.5 months [95% CI, 30.8-38.2] vs. 49.7 months [95% CI, 40.4-59.0]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Supplementary Fig. 3). The median OS was significantly longer in elderly patients who received any HCC treatment compared to those who did not, with a median OS of 36.5 months (95% CI, 32.2-40.8) in the treated group and 28.4 months (95% CI, 20.1-36.7) in the untreated group (log-rank test, P<0.001)

The OS of elderly and non-elderly patients with intermediate-stage HCC was compared according to treatment modality. In patients treated with surgery, the median OS was comparable between the elderly and non-elderly groups (78.1 months [95% CI, 42.5-113.7] vs. 94.3 months [95% CI, 79.9-108.7]; log-rank test, P=0.134) (Fig. 4A). Similar results were observed between the elderly and non-elderly groups after conducting IPTW analysis (median OS, 66.0 months [95% CI, 52.1-79.9] vs. 90.3 months [95% CI, 74.2-106.4]; log-rank test, P=0.553) (Fig. 4B).

In patients treated with transarterial therapy, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared with non-elderly patients (33.5 months [95% CI, 28.5-38.5] vs. 43.6 months [95% CI, 36.9-50.3], log-rank test, P<0.001) (Fig. 4C). However, after conducting IPTW analysis, it was observed that elderly patients had a comparable median OS to that of non-elderly patients (median OS, 36.5 months [95% CI, 33.7-39.3] vs. 37.2 months [95% CI, 34.6-39.8], log-rank test, P=0.104) (Fig. 4D).

3) Advanced-stage HCC

In patients with advanced-stage HCC (BCLC stage C), the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (24.3 months [95% CI, 21.1-27.5] vs. 31.4 months [95% CI, 29.0-33.8]; log-rank test, P<0.001) (Supplementary Fig. 4).The median OS was significantly longer in elderly patients who received any HCC treatment compared to those who did not, with a median OS of 31.4 months (95% CI, 29.4-33.4) in the treated group and 22.3 months (95% CI, 18.7-25.9) in the untreated group (log-rank test, P<0.001)

The OS of elderly and non-elderly patients with advanced-stage HCC was compared according to treatment modality. In patients treated with transarterial therapy, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (30.5 months [95% CI, 25.3-35.7] vs. 32.5 months [95% CI, 28.8-36.2]; log-rank test, P=0.002) (Fig. 5A). However, after performing IPTW analysis, it was observed that elderly patients had a comparable median OS to non-elderly patients (median OS, 28.4 months [95% CI, 24.4-32.4] vs. 33.5 months [95% CI, 30.0-37.1]; log-rank test, P=0.066) (Fig. 5B).

In patients treated with systemic therapy, the median OS was significantly shorter in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (22.3 months [95% CI, 13.5-31.1] vs. 25.4 months [95% CI, 18.3-32.5]; log-rank test, P=0.020) (Fig. 5C). However, after conducting IPTW analysis, elderly patients had comparable median OS to non-elderly patients (median OS, 25.3 months [95% CI, 20.6-30.0] vs. 26.3 months [95% CI, 21.4-31.2]; log-rank test, P=0.079) (Fig. 5D).

DISCUSSION

The increasing number of elderly patients with HCC in Korea presents a significant socioeconomic challenge in terms of treatment. In the analysis of data from the KPLCR, it was found that elderly individuals accounted for 38.4% of newly diagnosed patients with HCC between 2008 and 2017. Notably, a larger proportion of elderly patients with HCC did not receive any treatment compared with the non-elderly group. However, it is important to highlight that among elderly patients who received treatment, there was a significant improvement in OS compared to those who did not. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that for most stages of HCC and treatment modalities, elderly patients had a comparable OS to non-elderly patients, except for early-stage HCC treated with surgery. These findings highlight the potential benefits of treatment in improving survival outcomes in elderly patients with HCC.

Along with the growing elderly population, there was also an observed increase in the proportion of elderly patients with HCC in this study from 33.5% in 2008 to 45.9% in 2017. Elderly patients with HCC exhibit distinct characteristics compared to their non-elderly counterparts. A larger proportion of elderly patients with HCC in this study had comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension. In contrast to non-elderly patients with HCC, among whom HBV infection is the primary cause of HCC, non-HBV-related HCC is more prevalent in the elderly patient population. Hepatitis B is mainly transmitted vertically during childbirth; therefore, it typically affects young individuals. In contrast, hepatitis C usually develops after adulthood. Therefore, HBV-related HCC occurs approximately 10 years earlier than hepatitis C virus-related HCC.¹² Among elderly HCC patients, the most prevalent cause of HCC is non-viral hepatitis, with a significant proportion likely attributed to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Due to the higher prevalence of metabolic disorders such as diabetes among elderly patients, there is a suspicion that NAFLD plays a significant role in the development of HCC in this population. This highlights the importance of careful recognition and management of NAFLD in elderly patients to prevent progression to HCC.

Interestingly, a higher proportion of newly diagnosed elderly patients with HCC (approximately 25%) did not receive any treatment for HCC compared to non-elderly patients. Furthermore, elderly patients with HCC were treated with less invasive treatments than non-elderly patients. Transarterial therapy is the most commonly used treatment modality for early- and intermediate-stage HCC in the elderly population. In contrast, a higher proportion of advanced-stage elderly patients received the best supportive care, indicating a potentially more conservative treatment approach in this age group. This passive treatment approach observed in elderly patients with HCC may stem from general concerns regarding their prognosis compared to non-elderly patients, even when receiving the same treatment under similar circumstances. In addition, there are concerns regarding the potential for increased rates of side effects in the elderly population who have a higher incidence of comorbidities. However, these concerns can become a barrier to elderly patients with HCC receiving appropriate treatment and may result in missed treatment opportunities. It is important to note that among elderly patients with HCC, those who received HCC treatment had better survival outcomes than those who did not. The median OS in the treated group was extended by 16 months.

Age has been identified as one of the most important prognostic factors for HCC.^13-15 However, studies that compare the prognosis between elderly and non-elderly patients with HCC while adjusting for disease severity and treatment status are lacking. It is important to note that the prognosis of HCC varies depending on the stage, and various treatment methods are available depending on the stage of the disease.^11,16,17 Therefore, in this study, the survival outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients with HCC were compared within each tumor stage and treatment modality. The analysis was adjusted for individual clinical and tumor characteristics using IPTW to account for potential confounding factors.

In early-stage HCC, elderly patients treated with local ablation therapy (log-rank test, P=0.052) and transarterial therapy (log-rank test, P=0.079) had survival outcomes comparable to those of non-elderly patients. Local ablation is one of recommended treatment methods for early-stage HCC with a longest diameter of ≤3 cm.¹⁸ Two previous studies of HCC patients who underwent local ablation therapy also showed a non-inferior survival rate of elderly patients compared to that of non-elderly patients.^19,20 In contrast, in early-stage HCC patients treated with surgery, one of the optimal treatment options for early-stage HCC tumors with any longest diameter, the survival outcome of elderly patients was poorer than that of non-elderly patients in the present study (log-rank test, P<0.001). As previous studies have shown comparable outcomes between elderly and non-elderly patients with early-stage HCC treated with surgery, further prospective studies are needed to better understand the factors influencing survival outcomes in this specific population.^21,22 Based on the findings of the present study, it is important to carefully select the treatment modality for elderly patients with early-stage HCC, taking into account the individual patient’s clinical and tumor characteristics.

Transarterial therapy is an effective and representative treatment for intermediate-stage HCC.²³ In this study, elderly patients had comparable survival outcomes to non-elderly patients with intermediate-stage HCC treated with transarterial therapy (log-rank test, P=0.104). Few studies have directly compared the outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients with intermediate-stage HCC treated with transarterial therapy. In a previous study of patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization, patients ≥75 or <75 years of age also had similar OS rates.²⁴ These findings support the need for an active treatment approach such as transarterial therapy in elderly patients with intermediate-stage HCC, as nearly 20% of patients in the elderly group received only best supportive care. Surgery can be considered a treatment option for intermediate-stage HCC, if available. In intermediate-stage HCC patients treated with surgery, the survival outcomes of elderly patients were comparable to those of non-elderly patients (log-rank test, P=0.553). This suggests that with careful patient selection, surgery can be an effective treatment approach for elderly patients at this disease stage who exhibit favorable characteristics. The lack of studies comparing surgical treatment outcomes between elderly and non-elderly patients with intermediate-stage HCC highlights the need for further well-designed studies.

Finally, an important implication of this study is that elderly and non-elderly patients with advanced-stage HCC can achieve comparable survival outcomes when receiving appropriate treatment. Elderly patients had survival outcomes comparable to those of non-elderly patients when treated with transarterial (log-rank test, P=0.066) or systemic (logrank test, P=0.079) therapy. Systemic therapy is one of the treatment methods that has shown a significant increase in survival rates for patients with advanced HCC.^25-27 Furthermore, various treatment methods including transarterial and external beam radiation therapy are also performed in the management of advanced-stage HCC.²⁸ In this study, 40% of elderly patients with advanced-stage HCC did not receive any treatment. This could be attributed to the preconception that elderly patients may not tolerate the burden of advanced cancer.

However, based on these findings, active treatment with transarterial or systemic chemotherapy could be applied in elderly patients with advanced-stage HCC, if there are no contraindications for treatment.

Moreover, new systemic chemotherapies, including atezolizumab with bevacizumab, which have shown higher efficacy and safety, have recently been adopted as the first-line treatment for advanced-stage HCC.²⁹ A previous study showed that the effect of atezolizumab with bevacizumab treatment for elderly patients was not inferior to that of non-elderly patients.³⁰ With recent advances in immunotherapy in advanced-stage HCC, a significant number of previously untreated elderly patients will now be eligible for treatment.²⁹ Transarterial radioembolization can be given to patients with a large tumor burden who are difficult to treat with transarterial chemoembolization. It has also been reported to have a lower incidence of adverse effects, making it a potentially suitable option for elderly HCC patients.^31-33

Our study had several limitations. First, because the study sample was derived from the KCCR, the selection of patients from this registry could have introduced an inherent selection bias. Although IPTW and PSM were used to correct for selection bias, residual confounding factors may still exist. Second, because of the retrospective design of this study, which relied on data collected from medical records, an information bias may have existed. Third, this study focused only on patients with HCC in Korea, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or healthcare systems. Factors such as regional variations in healthcare practices and treatment guidelines could influence these results. Fourth, HCC is a complex disease requiring high-quality hospital facilities and multidisciplinary collaboration for treatment. Since our data were randomly collected from hospitals all over the country, the treatment capacity and circumstances of each institution, which can be important factors in treatment selection, have not been well examined. Fifth, caution should be exercised in interpretation as definitions of the elderly vary across studies. In addition, there has been a continuous argument for a change in the age defining the elderly in South Korea. Finally, liver cirrhosis was not used as a variable in this study because the dataset lacked information about the presence of liver cirrhosis.

In conclusion, elderly patients with HCC can be effectively treated if the selection of an appropriate treatment is aligned with their clinical and tumor characteristics. However, it is crucial to make treatment decisions judiciously, considering the patient's overall health condition and individual circumstances. Careful evaluation and personalized approaches are necessary to optimize treatment outcomes in elderly patients with HCC.

Article information

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Ethics Statement

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Ewha Womans University Hospital waived the need for IRB approval and written informed consent (IRB No. 2023-02-028) because the KPLCR data were collected anonymously as part of the KCCR in accordance with the cancer control act.

Funding Statement

None.

Data Availability

The data presented in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Author Contribution

Conceptualization: SL

Data curation: HAL, SL, HLL, JES, DHL, SH, JHS, BHK, JYC, HR, DYK

Formal analysis: HAL

Funding acquisition: HAL

Investigation: HAL, DYK

Methodology: HAL, DYK

Project administration: HAL

Supervision: DYK

Validation: HAL, DYK

Visualization: HAL, DYK

Writing–original draft: HAL, SL, HLL, JES, DHL, SH, JHS, BHK, JYC, HR, DYK

Writing–review & editing: HAL, SL, DYK

Approved the final manucript: all authors

Supplementary Material

Acknowledgments

Figure 1.

Change in proportion of elderly patients in entire hepatocellular carcinoma population.

Figure 2.

Overall survival in (A) elderly and non-elderly patients, and (B) elderly patients with and without treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Figure 3.

Overall survival of elderly and non-elderly patients in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma treated with surgery, local ablation therapy, and transarterial therapy before (A, C, E) and after IPTW (B, D, F). IPTW, inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Figure 4.

Overall survival of elderly and non-elderly patients in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma treated with surgery and transarterial therapy before (A, C) and after IPTW (B, D). IPTW, inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Figure 5.

Overall survival of elderly and non-elderly patients in advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial and systemic therapy before (A, C) and after IPTW (B, D). IPTW, inverse probability of treatment weighting.

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