Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Korea between 2012 and 2014: an Analysis of Data from the Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry
Authors
Young Eun Chon ; Han Ah Lee ; Jun Sik Yoon ; Jun Yong Park ; Bo Hyun Kim ; In Joon Lee ; Suk Kyun Hong ; Dong Hyeon Lee ; Hyun-Joo Kong ; Eunyang Kim ; Young-Joo Won ; Jeong-Hoon Lee
Citation
Journal of Liver Cancer (대한간암학회지), Vol.20(2) : 135-147, 2020-09
Epidemiology ; Hepatocellular carcinoma ; Hepatitis B ; Korea ; Survival
Abstract
Background/Aims: Considering the high prevalence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC) in Korea, accurate statistics for HCC are important. We evaluated the characteristics of
Korean patients with newly diagnosed HCC.
Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry
(KPLCR). The baseline characteristics, treatment modalities, and overall survival (OS) of 4,572
patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR between 2012 and 2014 were investigated.
Results: At the time of HCC diagnosis, the median age was 60.0 years, with male predominance
(79.6%). Hepatitis B virus infection was the most common etiology (59.1%). The rates of Barcelona
Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages 0, A, B, C, and D at diagnosis were 3.9%, 36.9%, 12.5%, 39.4%,
and 7.3%, respectively. The proportion of very early or early stage HCC at diagnosis (BCLC stage
0 or A) in the 2012-2014 cohort was significantly lower than that in the 2008-2011 cohort (40.8%
vs. 48.3%, P<0.001). Transarterial therapy (37.5%) was the most commonly performed initial
treatment, followed by surgical resection (19.8%), best supportive care (19.1%), and local ablation
(10.6%). The median OS was 2.9 years, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 67.7%, 49.3% and
41.9%, respectively. The OS rate of the 2012-2014 cohort was significantly higher than that of the
2008-2011 cohort (log-rank, P<0.001).
Conclusions: The OS of HCC patients registered in the KPLCR between 2012 and 2014 significantly
improved. Nevertheless, as about half of the HCC patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage,
vigorous and optimized HCC screening strategies should be implemented.