Insights into the hepatocellular carcinoma patient journey: results of the first global quality of life survey. (9th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gill, Jennifer; Baiceanu, Andrei; Clark, Paul J; Langford, Andrew; Latiff, Julianah; Yang, Pei-Ming; Yoshida, Eric M; Kanavos, Panos
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 14:Number 17(2018)
• Page Start: 1701
• Page End: 1710
• Publication Date: 2018-03-09
• Subjects: carcinoma -- global survey -- hepatocellular -- patient journey -- patient survey -- quality of life -- SIRT -- sorafenib -- TACE -- treatment effects; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon-2017-0715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Aim: To better understand the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient journey, we conducted a patient survey across 13 countries.Methods: The survey included closed- and open-ended questions developed using an iterative process to gather information on demographics, diagnosis and treatment. Patients self-selected or were directed to the online survey by their doctor.Results: A total of 256 patients completed the survey. More than two-thirds (68%) felt they did not receive enough information about HCC at diagnosis. Treatments included oral anticancer therapy, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). A total of 81% receiving sorafenib, 45% receiving SIRT and 32% receiving TACE reported impaired quality-of-life (QoL). A total of 42, 19 and 0% of patients using sorafenib rated their current QoL as 'poor', 'good' and 'excellent', respectively; compared with SIRT (22, 33 and 6%) or TACE (11, 37 and 13%).Conclusion: Most patients with HCC require additional accessible information. People with incurable HCC require treatments that preserve QoL.