| Theme | Digestive Diseases of the Aged Over 85 -- the Characteristics and Therapeutic Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Liver Disease in Super Elderly Patients | |
| Publish Date | 2015/04 | |
| Author | Akiyoshi Kinoshita | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital |
| Author | Hiroshi Onoda | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital |
| Author | Nao Fushiya | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital |
| Author | Kazuhiko Koike | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital |
| Author | Hirokazu Nishino | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital |
| Author | Hisao Tajiri | Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Jikei University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | In Japan, the number of elderly patients with liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is growing. It is imperative that clinicians recognize the signs of age‒related decline in liver metabolism, its ability to regenerate, as well as its contribution to the immune system. The most important etiology of liver dysfunction in elderly patients with cirrhosis and HCC remains HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection, and an associated increase in the prevalence of NASH (non‒alcoholic steatohepatitis)‒related cirrhosis and HCC is anticipated. Clinicians must screen for HCC and be able to manage the complications of decompensated cirrhosis. With the advances in treatment modalities, therapeutic options such as surgical resection, percutaneous ablation, transcatheter chemoembolization, and sorafenib administration have been utilized and are reported to be effective and well tolerated, even in elderly HCC patients. | |