To analyze the clinical and pathologic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in children and adolescents and evaluate prognostic factors that may help predict survival, highlighting the significance of these findings in improving treatment strategies.
Key Findings:
Median follow-up was 9.1 months with 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of 50.1%, 27.5%, and 15.8%, respectively, indicating a need for improved treatment options.
81.5% of patients had HBV infection; 61.5% had multiple tumors; 16.9% had distant metastasis, suggesting aggressive disease characteristics.
Initial treatment type (resection vs. TACE) was a significant predictor of overall survival, emphasizing the importance of treatment choice.
Interpretation:
HCC in children and adolescents shows distinct clinical characteristics compared to adults, with a higher prevalence of HBV infection and more aggressive tumor features, warranting tailored treatment approaches.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias, particularly in data collection and patient selection.
Limited sample size may affect the generalizability of the findings, highlighting the need for larger studies.
Conclusion:
Surgical resection is the preferred treatment for HCC in children and adolescents, while the role of TACE remains uncertain. Further studies are needed to clarify treatment efficacy and improve survival outcomes, particularly in understanding the long-term effects of different treatment modalities.
