Hépato-Gastro & Oncologie Digestive
MENULiver diseases in elderly patients: a current issue Volume 22, issue 3, Mars 2015
- Key words: elderly patients, comprehensive geriatric assessment, direct-acting antivirals, NASH, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal liver metastases
- DOI : 10.1684/hpg.2015.1126
- Page(s) : 228-37
- Published in: 2015
Due to aging of the general population, the proportion of patients aged more than 65 years will increase regularly. Some modifications occur in the aged liver, without significant impact in healthy people. The new direct antiviral agents should be more effective and well tolerated, allowing easy eradication of hepatitis C. However, a persistent risk of hepatocellular carcinoma persists, despite viral cure of hepatitis C, favored by cirrhosis and/or comorbidities such as a non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis. Retrospective studies suggest that the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly is possible with an efficacy and tolerance similar to those observed in younger patients. Liver surgery of metastasis related to colorectal carcinoma also gives good results in elderly. All these patients requiring an aggressive treatment should be properly assessed by geriatric doctors. « Frail » people should be offered a specific help and a personalized treatment of their liver disease.