Survival inequity in vulnerable populations with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a United States safety-net collaborative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Access to health insurance and curative interventions [surgery/liver-directed-therapy (LDT)] affects survival for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this multi-institutional study of high-volume safety-net hospitals (SNHs) and their tertiary-academic-centers (AC) was to identify the impact of type/lack of insurance on survival disparities across hospitals, particularly SNHs whose mission is to minimize insurance related access-to-care barriers for vulnerable populations. METHODS: Early-stage HCC patients (2012-2014) from the US Safety-Net Collaborative were propensity-score matched by treatment at SNH/AC. Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazard analysis was performed accounting for sociodemographic/clinical parameters. RESULTS: Among 925 patients, those with no insurance (NI) had decreased curative surgery, compared to those with government insurance (GI) and private insurance [PI, (PI-SNH:60.5% vs. GI-SNH:33.1% vs. NI-SNH:13.6%, p < 0.001)], and decreased median OS (PI-SNH:32.1 vs. GI-SNH:22.8 vs. NI-SNH:9.4 months, p = 0.002). On multivariable regression controlling for sociodemographic/clinical parameters, NI-SNH (HR:2.5, 95% CI:1.3-4.9, p = 0.007) was the only insurance type/hospital system combination with significantly worse OS. CONCLUSION: NI-SNH patients received less curative treatment than other insurance/hospitals types suggesting that treatment barriers, beyond access-to-care, need to be identified and addressed to achieve survival equity in early-stage HCC for vulnerable populations (NI-SNH).

Surgical resection of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma improves patient survival at safety net hospitals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection is indicated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Child A cirrhosis. We hypothesize that surgical intervention and survival are limited by advanced HCC presentation at safety net hospitals (SNHs) versus academic medical centers (AMCs). METHODS: Patients with HCC and Child A cirrhosis in the US Safety Net Collaborative (2012-2014) were evaluated. Demographics, clinicopathologic features, operative characteristics, and outcomes were compared between SNHs and AMCs. Liver transplantation was excluded. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify the effect of surgery on overall (OS). RESULTS: A total of 689 Child A patients with HCC were identified. SNH patients frequently presented with T3/T4 stage (35% vs. 24%) and metastases (17% vs. 8%; p < .05). SNH patients were as likely to undergo surgery as AMC patients (17% vs. 18%); however, SNH patients were younger (56 vs. 64 years), underwent minor hepatectomy (65% vs. 38%), and frequently harbored well-differentiated tumors (23% vs. 2%; p < .05). On multivariate analysis, surgical resection and stage, but not hospital type, were associated with improved OS. CONCLUSIONS: Although SNH patients present with advanced HCC, survival outcomes for early stage HCC are similar at SNHs and AMCs. Identifying barriers to early diagnosis at SNH may increase surgical candidacy and improve outcomes.

Disparities in Presentation at Time of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis: A United States Safety-Net Collaborative Study.

BACKGROUND: While hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ideally diagnosed outpatient by screening at-risk patients, many are diagnosed in Emergency Departments (ED) due to undiagnosed liver disease and/or limited access-to-healthcare. This study aims to identify sociodemographic/clinical factors associated with being diagnosed with HCC in the ED to identify patients who may benefit from improved access-to-care. METHODS: HCC patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2014 in the ED or an outpatient setting [Primary Care Physician (PCP) or hepatologist] were identified from the US Safety-Net Collaborative database and underwent retrospective chart-review. Multivariable regression identified predictors for an ED diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 1620 patients, median age was 60, 68% were diagnosed outpatient, and 32% were diagnosed in the ED. ED patients were more likely male, Black/Hispanic, uninsured, and presented with more decompensated liver disease, aggressive features, and advanced clinical stage. On multivariable regression, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance, and PCP/navigator access, predictors for ED diagnosis were male (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.2, p = 0.010), black (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3, p = 0.002), Hispanic (OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6, p = 0.029), > 25% below poverty line (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9, p = 0.019), uninsured (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 2.4-6.1, p < 0.001), and lack of PCP (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.6, p < 0.001) or navigator (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The sociodemographic/clinical profile of patients diagnosed with HCC in EDs differs significantly from those diagnosed outpatient. ED patients were more likely racial/ethnic minorities, uninsured, and had limited access to healthcare. This study highlights the importance of improved access-to-care in already vulnerable populations.

Surgical management of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein thrombosis: The United States Safety Net and Academic Center Collaborative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although consensus guidelines generally discourage any surgical management (ASM; i.e., resection and/or transplantation) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT), recent series from Asia have challenged this paradigm. METHODS: Patients from the US Safety Net Collaborative database (2012-2014) with localized HCC and radiographically confirmed PVT were propensity-score matched based on demographic and clinicopathologic factors associated with receipt of ASM and overall survival (OS). OS was compared between patients undergoing ASM and those not selected for surgery. RESULTS: Of 1910 HCC patients, 207 (14.5%) had localized disease and PVT. The majority received either liver-directed therapies (LDTs; 34%) and/or targeted systemic therapies (36%). Twenty-one patients (10.1%) underwent ASM (resection [n = 11], transplantation [n = 10]); a third experienced any complication with no 30-day mortalities. Independent predictors of undergoing ASM were younger age, recent hepatology consultation, and lower model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. After matching for age, comorbidities, MELD, tumor size, receipt of LDT, or systemic therapy, OS was significantly longer for patients selected for ASM versus non-ASM patients (median not reached vs. 5.8 months, p < .001). CONCLUSION: In a large North American multi-institutional cohort, a minority of HCC patients with PVT were selected for ASM. Resection or transplantation was associated with improved survival and may have a role in the multimodality management in selected patients.

Impact of hepatitis C treatment on long-term outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a United States Safety Net Collaborative Study.

BACKGROUND: Widespread HCV treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients remains limited. Our aim was to evaluate the association of HCV treatment with survival and assess barriers to treatment. METHODS: Patients in the U.S. Safety Net Collaborative with HCV and HCC were included. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and barriers to receiving HCV treatment. RESULTS: Of 941 patients, 57% received care at tertiary referral centers (n=533), 74% did not receive HCV treatment (n=696), 6% underwent resection (n=54), 17% liver transplant (n=163), 50% liver-directed therapy (n=473), and 7% chemotherapy (n=60). HCV treatment was associated with improved OS compared to no HCV treatment (70 vs 21 months, p<0.01), persisting across clinical stages, HCC treatment modalities, and treatment facilities (all p<0.01). Surgical patients who received HCV treatment had improved RFS compared to those who did not (91 vs 80 months, p=0.03). On MVA, HCV treated patients had improved OS and RFS. On MVA, factors associated with failure to receive HCV treatment included Black race, higher MELD, and advanced clinical stage (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HCV treatment for HCC patients portends improved survival, regardless of clinical stage, HCC treatment, or facility type. Efforts must address barriers to HCV treatment.

Dissecting disease, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma: An analysis from the United States Safety Net Collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities are assumed to negatively affect treatment and outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to investigate the interaction of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic factors with stage of disease and type of treatment facility in receipt of treatment and overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC. METHODS: All patients with primary HCC in the US Safety-Net Collaborative database (2012-2014) were included. Patients were categorized into "safety-net" or "tertiary referral center" based on where they received treatment. Socioeconomic factors were determined at the zip-code level and included median income and percent of adults who graduated from high-school. Primary outcomes were receipt of treatment and OS. RESULTS: On MV Cox regression, neither race/ethnicity, median income, nor care provided at a SNH were associated with decreased OS (all p > 0.05). Independent predictors of decreased OS included lack of insurance (HR 1.34), less educational attainment (HR 1.59) higher MELD score (HR 1.07), higher stage at diagnosis (II:HR 1.34, III:HR 2.87, IV:HR 3.23), and not receiving treatment (HR 3.94) (all p < 0.05). Factors associated with not receiving treatment included history of alcohol abuse (OR 0.682), increasing MELD (OR 0.874), higher stage at diagnosis (III: OR 0.234, IV: OR 0.210) and care at a safety net facility (OR 0.424) There were no racial/ethnic or socioeconomic disparities in receipt of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is no intrinsic or direct association of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or being treated at select safety-net hospitals with worse outcomes. Poor liver function, no insurance, and advanced stage of presentation are the main determinants of not receiving treatment and decreased survival.

Demographic and Clinicopathologic Factors of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Safety Net Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Safety net hospitals have historically cared for a disproportionate number of patients of low socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic minorities, and patients with cancer. These innate challenges make safety net hospitals important in understanding how to improve access to cancer care in order to fit the needs of vulnerable patients and ultimately improve their outcomes. The purpose of this study is to characterize the current state and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at Ben Taub Hospital, a safety net hospital in Houston, Texas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to review the demographic characteristics, clinicopathologic data, treatment strategies, and outcomes of HCC patients at Ben Taub Hospital between January 2012 and December 2014. RESULTS: Two-hundred twenty-six men and 78 women with a mean age of 58 y underwent evaluation. Most (87%) were either uninsured or covered by Medicaid. The majority (69%) of patients presented with advanced (stage 2 or more) disease, with 58% of patients presenting with multiple lesions. Of the 40% that presented with a solitary lesion, the average size was 4.97 cm. Transarterial chemoembolization was used in 37% of patients and sorafenib was given to 26% of patients. Five patients underwent successful transplant. One hundred seventeen (38%) patients died of their disease, 25 patients are alive with no evidence of disease, and 159 patients have been lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with HCC presented to this safety net hospital with advanced disease; however, multiple local and systemic treatments were offered. Screening programs to detect HCC at an earlier stage are essential for successful long-term outcomes in a resource-strapped hospital with limited access to liver transplantation.

The Evolving Landscape of Hepatocellular Carcinoma : A US Safety Net Collaborative Analysis of Etiology of Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has historically been the most common cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States. With improved HCV treatment, cirrhosis secondary to other etiologies is increasing. Given this changing epidemiology, our aim was to determine the impact of cirrhosis etiology on overall survival (OS) in patients with HCC. METHODS: All patients with cirrhosis and primary HCC from the US Safety Net Collaborative (2012-2014) database were included. Patients were grouped into "safety net" and "academic" based on where they received their care. The primary outcome was the OS. RESULTS: 1479 patients were included. The average age was 60 years and 78% (n = 1156) were male. 56% (n = 649) received care at academic and 44% (n = 649) at safety net hospitals. The median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) was 10 (IQR 8-16). Median OS was 23 months. Etiology of cirrhosis was viral hepatitis 56% (n = 612), alcohol abuse 14% (n = 152), alcohol and hepatitis 23% (n = 251), and other 7% (n = 85). Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (alcohol alone or with hepatitis) were younger (59 vs 62 years), more likely to be male (86% vs 75%), treated at a safety net facility (45% vs 35%), uninsured (17% vs 13%), and had a higher MELD (median 12 vs 10) (all P < .003). They were less likely to have been screened for HCC within 1 year of diagnosis (20% vs 29%) and to receive treatment (69% vs 81%), and more likely to present with stage IV disease (21% vs 15%) (all P < .001). Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis had decreased OS (5-year OS 24% vs 40%, P < .001), which persisted in a subset analysis of both academic and safety net populations. CONCLUSION: Although not significant on MVA, alcohol-related cirrhosis is associated with all factors that correlate with decreased survival from HCC. Efforts must focus on this vulnerable patient population to optimize screening, treatment, and outcomes.