Influence of nonclinical factors on choice of therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma

Hari Nathan, Dorry L. Segev, John F P Bridges, Allan B. Massie, Andrew M. Cameron, Kenzo Hirose, Richard D. Schulick, Michael A. Choti, Timothy M. Pawlik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Initial therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with well-compensated cirrhosis is controversial. While we previously reported on the effect of clinical factors and surgeon specialty on choice of therapy for early HCC, other nonclinical factors also may impact decision-making. Methods: Surgeons who treat HCC were invited to complete a web-based survey that included ten case scenarios. Choice of therapy - liver transplantation (LT), liver resection (LR), or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) - was analyzed using regression models. Results: There were 336 responses for analysis. Most respondents were in academic centers (86 %) that offered LT (71 %). The median number of patients annually evaluated for HCC was 30. Both practice type and HCC case volume were associated with choice of therapy, but these associations were not independent of surgeon specialty. LT surgeons who did not also perform RFA were less likely than those LT surgeons who did offer RFA to choose RFA over LT (relative risk ratios (RRR) 0.38, P < 0.001). Non-LT surgeons were more likely than LT surgeons who also offered RFA to choose RFA over LT (RRR 2.24, P < 0.001). Surgeons who worked at hospitals where LT was performed were much more likely to choose LT over LR and RFA even if they did not personally perform LT (RRR 1.27 and RRR 3.33, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Surgeon- and institution-related factors impact choice of therapy for early HCC even after adjustment for differences in clinical presentation. These data suggest that choice of therapy for patients with early HCC varies across providers independent of case selection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)448-456
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Influence of nonclinical factors on choice of therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this