The patients with liver cancer are mainly men (75%) and between the ages of 56 and 85. And, first of all, they need information. This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the EpaC Onlus association, which wanted to draw a precise picture of the population affected by hepatocarcinoma, the most serious evolution of liver diseases and the leading cause of death among those with chronic liver diseases.
Where do I take care of?
For one out of two patients there is a lack of clear, precise and easily available information on who can respond quickly and comprehensively to the numerous needs that arise together with the diagnosis of liver cancer. Always for half of the sample it is necessary to facilitate access to priority paths in structures of excellence with multidisciplinary teams. “Patients with hepatocarcinoma often present comorbidities and also for this reason it is necessary that they be followed by a multidisciplinary team that brings together the different skills of hepatologists, oncologists and gastroenterologists”, emphasizes Ivan Gardini, President of the EpaC Onlus Association: “This synergy it can represent a great help in improving management not only for patients but also for caregivers, favoring the construction of local and regional networks in order to trace rapid routes to highly specialized hospital structures. Needs that appear very clear and evident from this investigation “.
A hackathon to improve liver cancer treatment
by Simone Valesini
6 out of 10 consult more than one center
Yes: the results of the survey show that patients often go to several structures, looking for those who can offer diagnostic tools and latest generation therapies: a practice that is still excessively widespread today that does not allow for a rationalization of time and economic resources that weigh more than that on patients also on the National Health System, underlines the association. Specifically, 63% declared that they had to go to one or more structures in addition to the one in which they were taken in charge to obtain a complete diagnosis: 53% by their own choice, 30% on the recommendation of the same specialist and 17% because the structure was not equipped. Then, diagnostic therapeutic assistance pathways (PDTA) are needed on a regional basis.
Liver cancer, immunotherapy improves survival
Difficulty in accessing clinical trials and in need of assistance
Equally important, patients want information on access to experimental therapies: according to EpaC reports, in fact, patients are unable to access because they ignore its existence or cannot find information about it. In addition to these needs, there are practical needs for assistance: three out of four respondents said they needed the help of their loved ones (41% a family member and 31% more than a family member), 3% made use of an assistant paid.
Liver cancer, hepatitis viruses cause 70% of hepatocarcinomas
by Irma D’Aria
The need for reliable and concrete information
Hepatocarcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer and is the fifth most common cancer in males and eighth in females. The most important risk factor is liver cirrhosis, since most cases (80-90%) occur on the cirrhotic liver. Despite this widespread use, patients are not given clear indications on the concrete possibilities of treatment and on the real life expectancy. “Today we are faced with a double challenge – concludes Gardini – the need to foster an ever greater knowledge of the risks associated with advanced liver disease and the need to promote synergistic collaboration between all the interlocutors involved in the treatment of the disease. It is possible to consult the complete report, created thanks to the support of Roche, on the website tumorfegato.it.
(Image credits: Waldemar Brandt via Unsplash)
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