Impact of Advanced Age on Survival in Patients Undergoing Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Report of a Japanese Nationwide Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of age on survival after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been thoroughly examined. We reviewed the data of a nationwide follow-up survey to determine the outcomes of hepatectomy for HCC in elderly patients. BACKGROUND: Management of malignant diseases in elderly patients has become a global clinical issue because of the increased life expectancy worldwide. Advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative management have reduced age-related contraindications for liver surgery. METHODS: In all, 12,587 patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection were included in this cohort study and classified according to age group [40-59 years (n = 2991), 60-74 years (n = 7576,), and ≥75 years (n = 2020)]. Clinicopathological features, long-term survival, and cumulative incidences of death after hepatic resection were compared among the groups. The cause-specific subdistribution hazard ratios for 3 types of death depending on age were also estimated. RESULTS: Preoperative liver function tests showed that the prothrombin activity and platelet count were higher in the ≥75-year age group than in the other age groups. The overall survival was significantly lower in the elderly than younger patients. However, recurrence-free survival was almost identical among the 3 groups. The cumulative incidence of HCC-related or liver-related death was almost identical among the 3 groups; however, the cumulative incidence of other causes of death was significantly different. The 60-year subdistribution hazard ratio for other causes of death increased remarkably with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients in this nationwide survey had significantly worse overall survival after hepatectomy than middle-aged and young patients. The cumulative incidence of other causes of death in elderly patients was significantly different from that of HCC-related or liver-related death among the 3 groups.

Third-generation oncolytic herpes simplex virus inhibits the growth of liver tumors in mice.

Multimodality therapies are used to manage patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although advanced HCC is incurable. Oncolytic virus therapy is probably the next major breakthrough in cancer treatment. The third-generation oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) T-01 kills tumor cells without damaging the surrounding normal tissues. Here we investigated the antitumor effects of T-01 on HCC and the host's immune response to HCC cells. The cytopathic activities of T-01 were tested in 14 human and 1 murine hepatoma cell line in vitro. In various mouse xenograft models, HuH-7, KYN-2, PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2 human cells and Hepa1-6 murine cells were used to investigate the in vivo efficacy of T-01. T-01 was cytotoxic to 13 cell lines (in vitro). In mouse xenograft models of subcutaneous, orthotopic and peritoneal tumor metastasis in athymic mice (BALB/c nu/nu), the growth of tumors formed by the human HCC cell lines and hepatoblastoma cell line was inhibited by T-01 compared with that of mock-inoculated tumors. In a bilateral Hepa1-6 subcutaneous tumor model in C57BL/6 mice, the growth of tumors inoculated with T-01 was inhibited, as was the case for contralateral tumors. T-01 also significantly reduced tumor growth. T-01 infection significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy via T cell-mediated immune responses. Results demonstrate that a third-generation oncolytic HSV-1 may serve as a novel treatment for patients with HCC.

Is distal pancreatectomy with en-bloc celiac axis resection effective for patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma? -Multicenter surgical group study.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively investigated the operative outcomes of patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) for invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) located at the body and tail. METHODS: Data from 395 patients with PDAC who underwent DP with margin-negative resection (R0 or R1) were collected from seven high-volume centers in Japan from 2001 to 2012. Among them, 72 patients underwent DP with en-bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR). The remaining 323 patients underwent conventional DP with splenectomy (DP-S). To determine the efficacy of DP-CAR, clinicopathological data were compared between the DP-CAR and the DP-S groups. RESULTS: The DP-S group consisted mainly of patients with resectable disease (93%), and conversely, all patients in the DP-CAR group had borderline resectable or unresectable disease. The overall morbidity was significantly higher in the DP-CAR group than in the DP-S group (63% vs 47%, respectively; P = 0.017). The median survival time (MST) of the DP-CAR group was significantly shorter than that of the DP-S group (17.5 vs 28.6 months, respectively; P = 0.004). However, the MST of patients in the DP-CAR group (n = 61, 85%) who received adjuvant therapy was significantly longer than that of patients in the DP-S group (n = 65, 20%) who underwent R1 resection (21.9 vs 16.7 months, respectively; P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: DP-CAR followed by adjuvant chemotherapy provided an acceptable overall survival rate in patients with highly advanced PDAC, but should be performed with great caution because of high morbidity. Patients with a high risk of positive surgical margins with DP-S may be candidates for DP-CAR.

A sense oligonucleotide to inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA increases the survival rate of rats in septic shock.

Natural antisense transcripts (asRNAs) that do not encode proteins are transcribed from rat, mouse, and human genes, encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which catalyzes the production of the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO). In septic shock, NO is excessively produced in hepatocytes and macrophages. The iNOS asRNA interacts with and stabilizes iNOS mRNA. We found that single-stranded 'sense' oligonucleotides corresponding to the iNOS mRNA sequence reduced iNOS mRNA levels by interfering with the mRNA-asRNA interactions in rat hepatocytes. The iNOS sense oligonucleotides that were substituted with phosphorothioate bonds and locked nucleic acids efficiently decreased the levels of iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein. In this study, the gene expression patterns in the livers of two endotoxemia model rats with acute liver failure were compared. Next, we optimized the sequence and modification of the iNOS sense oligonucleotides in interleukin 1ß-treated rat hepatocytes. When a sense oligonucleotide was simultaneously administered with d-galactosamine and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rats, their survival rate significantly increased compared to the rats administered d-galactosamine and LPS alone. In the livers of the sense oligonucleotide-administered rats, apoptosis in the hepatocytes markedly decreased. These results suggest that natural antisense transcript-targeted regulation technology using iNOS sense oligonucleotides may be used to treat human inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis and septic shock.

Perioperative allogenic blood transfusion is a poor prognostic factor after hepatocellular carcinoma surgery: a multi-center analysis.

PURPOSE: The influence of allogenic blood transfusion on the postoperative outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgery remains controversial. This study aims to clarify the clinical impacts of perioperative allogenic blood transfusion on liver resection outcome in HCC patients. METHODS: We analyzed data collected over 5 years for 642 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC at one of the five university hospitals. We investigated the impact of allogenic blood transfusion on postoperative outcome after surgery in all patients and in 74 matched pairs, using a propensity score. RESULTS: Of the 642 patients, 198 (30.8%) received perioperative allogenic blood transfusion (AT group) and 444 (69.2%) did not (non-AT group). Overall survival was lower in the AT group than in the non-AT group in univariate (P < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (risk ratio 1.521, P = 0.011). After matching the different distributions using propensity scores, perioperative blood transfusion was found to be a poor prognostic factor for HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-center study, perioperative blood transfusion was an independent factor for poor prognosis after curative surgery for primary HCC in the patient group and in pairs matched by propensity scores.

[A Successful Treatment of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer with Using Mohs' Paste and Chemotherapy - A Case Report].

Foul smell and large amounts ofexudate, bleeding are the most common and serious symptoms with locally advanced breast cancer(LABC). Mohs' paste is made ofa mixture ofzinc chloride and used for treatment ofmalignant skin tumors. Recently some reports show that Mohs' paste is useful for treatment of malignant tumor including unresectable breast cancer and skin metastasis ofcancer. Mohs' paste is useful for reducing symptoms such as foul smell and exudate, Bleeding. We report a successful case of treatment for LABC with using Mohs' paste and chemotherapy and surgery.

Multicenter Phase II Study of Intravenous and Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel With S-1 for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients With Peritoneal Metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) paclitaxel combined with S-1, "an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative containing tegafur, gimestat, and otastat potassium" in chemotherapy-naive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with peritoneal metastasis. BACKGROUND: PDAC patients with peritoneal metastasis (peritoneal deposits and/or positive peritoneal cytology) have an extremely poor prognosis. An effective treatment strategy remains elusive. METHODS: Paclitaxel was administered i.v. at 50 mg/m and i.p. at 20 mg/m on days 1 and 8. S-1 was administered at 80 mg/m/d for 14 consecutive days, followed by 7 days of rest. The primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival (OS) rate. The secondary endpoints were antitumor effect and safety (UMIN000009446). RESULTS: Thirty-three patients who were pathologically diagnosed with the presence of peritoneal dissemination (n = 22) and/or positive peritoneal cytology (n = 11) without other organ metastasis were enrolled. The tumor was located at the pancreatic head in 7 patients and the body/tail in 26 patients. The median survival time was 16.3 (11.47-22.57) months, and the 1-year survival rate was 62%. The response rate and disease control rate in assessable patients were 36% and 82%, respectively. OS in 8 patients who underwent conversion surgery was significantly higher than that of nonsurgical patients (n = 25, P = 0.0062). Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities occurred in 42% of the patients and nonhematologic adverse events in 18%. One patient died of thrombosis in the superior mesenteric artery. CONCLUSIONS: This regimen has shown promising clinical efficacy with acceptable tolerability in chemotherapy-naive PDAC patients with peritoneal metastasis.

Phase I Study of Sorafenib in Combination with Intermittent Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a phase I study of sorafenib and intermittent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using cisplatin for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Sorafenib was administered continuously, whereas cisplatin was administered once every 3 weeks. We estimated the safety and efficacy. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were enrolled into this study. The dose-limiting toxicities occurred at sorafenib 800 mg and cisplatin 20 mg/m2. The recommended dose was at sorafenib 400 mg and cisplatin 30 mg/m2. The disease control rate was 73.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This treatment is feasible for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Further evaluation of the regimen in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Comparison of surgical outcomes of three different stump closure techniques during distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: To find the appropriate method of pancreatic transection during distal pancreatectomy (DP), we retrospectively compared post-operative complications including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) according to the different types of pancreatic transection. METHODS: This study included 169 patients who underwent pancreatic transection using an ultrasonic activated device (USAD) with transfixion of the pancreatic duct (DP-TF group, n = 89), USAD followed by pancreaticogastrostomy (DP-PG group, n = 44), and a reinforced linear tristapler (DP-ST, n = 36). RESULTS: Overall and POPF-related complications in DP-PG group, and delayed gastric emptying (DGE) in DP-ST group were significantly lower than DP-TF group. There were no significant difference in overall complication, length of hospitalization and operative costs between DP-PG and DP-ST groups. Operative time was significantly longer in DP-PG group than others. CONCLUSION: Both DP-PG and DP-ST are associated with better surgical outcomes. Regarding ease of surgical technique, shorter operative times, and similar medical costs, DP with a reinforced linear tristapler is a good choice during DP.

Reinforced staplers for distal pancreatectomy.

PURPOSE: The safety and efficacy of reinforced staplers during distal pancreatectomy (DP) remain controversial because of the small sample size. This multicenter single-arm prospective study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of reinforced staplers with bioabsorbable material during DP. METHODS: Between October 2014 and August 2015, 121 patients scheduled for DP were enrolled in this study at 11 institutions in Japan. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula. Protocol treatment was defined as "distal pancreatectomy using reinforced staplers." RESULTS: Per-protocol analysis of 105 patients was performed; 16 of the patients were excluded based on discontinuation of protocol treatment criteria. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula occurred in 13 (12.4%) of 105 patients. The overall morbidity rate was 29.5% (31 of 105 patients) and severe complication (Clavien classification IIIa or more) was 10.5% (11/105). Mortality rate was 0%, although reoperations were performed on two patients (1.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after DP using reinforced stapler closure was operative time more than 240 min (P = 0.047, odds ratio 5.79), registration numbers less than 10 (P = 0.046, odds ratio 13.01), and staple line hemorrhage (P = 0.003, odds ratio 16.34). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the safety of reinforced staplers for pancreatic stump closure during DP. However, the efficacy of reinforced staplers for decreasing clinically relevant pancreatic fistula could not be drawn from this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02270554) and UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000015384).

PD-L1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a poor prognostic factor in patients with high CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes: highly sensitive detection using phosphor-integrated dot staining.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an extremely poor prognosis. For the development of more effective immunotherapies, it is first necessary to elucidate the immunological escape mechanisms. In this study, we applied our recently developed highly sensitive immunostaining method employing fluorescent phosphor-integrated dot (PID) nanoparticles to evaluate the prevalence of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in patients with PDAC. METHODS: This study included 42 patients with PDAC who underwent pancreatectomy. We evaluated PD-L1 expression in these patients using PID staining and correlated PD-L1 expression level with each patient's clinico-pathological features. RESULTS: PD-L1 expression was detected in 61.9% (26/42) of the patients with PDAC by PID staining. There was a significant difference in overall survival between PD-L1-positive and PD-L1-negative patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-4.54; P = 0.049]. Among CD8+-tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte-positive cases, the overall survival of PD-L1-positive patients was significantly poorer than that of PD-L1-negative patients (HR 3.84, 95% CI 1.59-10.35; P = 0.003). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that PD-L1 expression was an independent predictive poor prognostic factor in patients with PDAC. CONCLUSIONS: PD-L1 expression appears to be an important prognostic factor in patients with PDAC who underwent surgical resection.

Effects of implementing an "enhanced recovery after surgery" program on patients undergoing resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of implementing an "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) program on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of extensive and potentially curative liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We compared clinicopathologic factors, surgical factors, and outcomes of patients who underwent extended hepatectomy (defined as resection of more than two sections) for HCC, before and after the introduction of an ERAS program. RESULTS: Operating times and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter, and total volume infused during surgery was significantly lower, for the ERAS group than for the control group. Although the ERAS group had a significantly lower percentage of patients with retention of abdominal drainage, this group had a higher frequency of abdominal paracentesis in patients without intraoperative abdominal drainage. Oral dietary intake and the ability to walk steadily resumed significantly earlier in the ERAS group. Postoperative serum concentrations of albumin and cholinesterase were significantly higher in the ERAS group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS program was feasible and effective for patients with chronic liver disease undergoing extended liver resection for HCC, because it allowed earlier oral dietary intake and promoted faster postoperative recovery.

Clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy vs. chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) vs. chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: The study population comprised 81 patients with UICC stage T3/4 PDAC, treated initially by NACRT with S-1 in 40 and by NAC with gemcitabine + S-1 in 41. This was followed by pancreatectomy with routine nerve plexus resection in 35 of the patients who had received NACRT and 32 of those who had received NAC. We compared the survival curves and clinical outcomes of these two groups. RESULTS: The rates of clinical response, surgical resectability, and margin-negative resection were similar. The NACRT group patients had significantly higher rates of Evans stage ≥IIB tumors (29 vs. 0 %, respectively, p = 0.010) and negative lymph nodes (49 vs. 16 %, respectively, p = 0.021) than the NAC group patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival between the groups, but the disease-specific survival of the NAC group patients was better than that of the NACRT group patients (p = 0.034). Patients undergoing pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection following NACRT had significantly higher rates of intractable diarrhea and ascites but consequently received significantly less adjuvant chemotherapy and therapeutic chemotherapy for relapse. CONCLUSION: NACRT followed by pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection is superior for achieving local control, but postoperative diarrhea and ascites may prohibit continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy or chemotherapy for relapse (UMIN4148).

[A Case of Shock Due to nabPTX Administration Successfully Treated with Cytokine Adsorption Therapy].

The patient was a 71-year-old woman with ER(+), PgR(-), HER2(3+), and Ki-674 2% breast cancer. After surgery for left breast cancer(Bt+Ax), epirubicin, cyclophosphamide therapy was administered as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and nabPTX plus trastuzumab therapy was started sequentially. The patient was hospitalized due to severe neutrope- nia(neutrophils 0/mm3)from nabPTX, but her condition stabilized after admission. However, the patient suddenly went into shock after 3 days and was thus transferred to the ICU. Her general condition was rapidly improved through cytokine adsorption therapy in the ICU. After 5 days, she was extubated and wheeled back to a general ward. She was discharged without problems in the succeeding months. In this case, FN or cardiovascular diseases was ruled out, and engraftment syndrome was considered given that cytokine adsorption therapy significantly improved the patient's condition. Considering the risk for severe neutropenia in nabPTX administration, clinicians should exercise caution when administering the drug.

[Examination of Stereotactic Mammotome Biopsy for Microcalcification in Our Hospital].

We introduced stereotactic mammotome biopsy(ST-MMT)for the purpose of screening and other institutions. There are many benign cases to be diagnosed by pathological findings, so it is thought to be necessary to examine the adaptation of STMMT again. We examined the performance of ST-MMT in a case of a non-palpating calcification lesion. Between August 2013 and December 2016, ST-MMT biopsies were performed for 247 microcalcified lesions revealed by mammography(in both breasts in 9 patients; twice in the ipsilateral breast in 2 patients). The mean age of all patients was 46 years(range, 24- 89 years). We found 39 cases(15.8%)of breast cancer. A final diagnosis of breast cancer was made in 39 patients, who comprised 0% of those with Category 2, 53.8% of those with Category 3, 35.9% of those with Category 4, and 10.3% of those with Category 5. Regarding the morphology and distribution of microcalcifications, breast cancer accounted for 46.2%, 5.1%, 2.6%, 35.9%, 7.7%, and 2.6% of the cases with small round/clustered, amorphous/clustered, pleomorphic/clus- tered, pleomorphic/linear segmental, and fine linear/clustered patterns, respectively. Also, we examined each of the patients, (1) who underwent mammography for medical examinations, (2) who underwent mammography performed at other institutions, (3) who underwent follow-up for microcalcifications and postoperative follow-up mammography. The proportions of breast cancer diagnoses were (1) 11.4%, (2) 20.6%, and (3) 7.1%. Proportions of Category 3 breast cancer were (1) 10.3%, (2) 38.5%, and (3) 5.1%. Among the cases in which ST-MMT was performed in this study, Category 3 accounted for more than half. However, 10.9%(21/192 lesions)were diagnosed as malignant in Category 3. The diagnosis of breast cancer in pa- tients who underwent mammography performed at other institutions was not observed in 79.4%(104/131 lesions), and among the 104 lesions, as a result of reassessment of calcification in our hospital, Category 2 was also included. Calcification in Category 2 lesions was benign in all cases. It was suggested that the indication for ST-MMT biopsy could be further narrowed down by being careful not to over-diagnose.

[A Case of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor with Necrolytic Migratory Erythema].

A 45-year-old man was admitted because of necrolytic migratory erythema. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen revealed a 4.5cm mass in the tail of the pancreas. We performed distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and a definitive diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor(WHO class grade 2)was made histopathologically.

[A Case Report of Long-Term Survival after SOX Chemotherapy for Metastatic Ovarian Tumor of Gastric Cancer].

A 55-year-woman presented with abdominal fullness. An abdominal MRI disclosed ovarian and uterine tumors. Under the pathological diagnosis of Kruckenberg tumor, total hysterectomy and bilateral adenexectomy were performed. Gastrointestinal endoscopy disclosed type 3 on the greater curvature and anterior wall of the middle gastric body. The gastric cancer had a similar histology, which suggested the tumor origin and led to the diagnosis of c-stage IV. She received 6 courses of SOX chemotherapy. Staging laparoscopy revealed no peritoneal metastasis and negative cytodiagnosis of ascites. She underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. In May 2017, after S-1 chemotherapy, no metastasis to other organs was observed.

[Strut Adjusted Volume Implant(SAVI) - An Interim Report of Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes].

BACKGROUND: Strut adjusted volume implant(SAVI)was approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA)for the treatment of breast cancer in 2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phase II study was conducted to investigate the activity and safety of SAVI in breast cancer patients. Criteria for SAVI treatments were N0, T<2 cm, and age≥40. After patients underwent breast-conserving surgery, they received SAVI twice a day×5 days(34 Gy). The primary endpoint are feasibility and safety. Second endpoint are local recurrence rate and cosmesis. RESULTS: Three patients were enrolled and the median duration of administration is 18.7 days(17-20). Further, the most common treatment-related adverse events were thickening and redness of skin(grade 1/2), while there was no deformity of breast in each case. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that SAVI is well tolerated treatment in breast cancer patients and may be convenient for use in patient treatment.

Alleviating Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on Chemotherapy-Related Adverse Events in Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

The present study was conducted to determine whether active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a functional food extracted from cultured basidiomycetes, possesses the potential to attenuate adverse events in unresectable pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients receiving chemotherapy. Unresectable PDAC patients receiving gemcitabine treatment (GEM) as the first-line chemotherapy were prospectively divided into 2 groups according to AHCC intake (AHCC group, n = 35) or not (control group, n = 40). The patients in the AHCC group ingested 6.0 g of AHCC for 2 mo. Hematological and nonhematological toxicity was compared between the AHCC and control groups. The C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation and albumin decline of the AHCC group were significantly suppressed as compared to the control group during the GEM administration (P = 0.0012, P = 0.0007). Patients in the AHCC group had less frequency of taste disorder caused by GEM (17% vs. 56%, P = 0.0007). Frequency of grade 3 in the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) during chemotherapy was found significantly less in the AHCC group (14%) than the control group (53%, P = 0.0005). AHCC intake can be effective in reducing the adverse events associated with chemotherapy and may contribute to maintaining the QOL of patients with PDAC during GEM administration.

Geriatric assessment as a predictor of postoperative complications in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Older patients are considered to have increased risk for complications after major surgery, but age alone is not a reliable predictor of postoperative complications. However, no universal screening test adequately predicts postoperative complications in older patients. This prospective study recorded pertinent baseline geriatric assessment variables to identify risk factors for postoperative complications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients aged ≥70 years who undergo hepatectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive patients ≥70 years of age. Patients had geriatric assessments of baseline and later cognition, nutritional and functional status, and burden of comorbidities, completed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative morbidities were recorded. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidities developed in 18 patients (25 %). Univariate analysis identified serum albumin, operating time and blood loss, cirrhosis, geriatric 8 (G8), and Mini Nutritional Assessment as possible risk factors for postoperative complications, but only G8 < 14 survived multivariate analysis as an independent predictor of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the G8 score, based on patients' nutritional assessments, is a useful screening method for older HCC patients who qualify for elective liver resection. Preoperative G8 scores can help forecast postoperative complications in older HCC patients. Future studies with larger numbers of patients, limited to HCC and liver resections, are needed to verify our results.