Treatment journey of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using real-world data in British Columbia, Canada

Soo Jin Seung; Hasnain Saherawala; Brandon Zagorski; Carman Tong; Howard Lim; Peter Kim; Vladimir Marquez; Sharlene Gill; David Liu; Janine M Davies

doi:10.2217/hep-2023-0004

Treatment journey of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using real-world data in British Columbia, Canada

Hepat Oncol. 2024 Mar 14;10(4):HEP50. doi: 10.2217/hep-2023-0004. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Sunnybrook Research Institute, HOPE Research Centre, Toronto, Canada.
² BMZ Analytics, Toronto, Canada.
³ Provincial Health Services Association, Vancouver, Canada.
⁴ Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
⁵ Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
⁶ Division of Gastroenterology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
⁷ Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.

Abstract

Aim: This study examined treatment patterns, survival outcomes and healthcare costs related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in British Columbia.

Methods: The study utilized data from two physician databases (HCC and MOTION) and the provincial British Columbia transplant database.

Results: The analysis revealed diverse treatment approaches and identified the varying treatment journeys of patients. Liver transplant and systemic therapies demonstrated improved survival rates. However, there was a scarcity of Canadian-specific cost data.

Conclusion: The research emphasizes the complexities of managing HCC and underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies to enhance patient outcomes. These findings contribute valuable insights into HCC management and provide a foundation for future studies and interventions aimed at optimizing care and resource allocation.

Keywords: Canada; HCC; cost; hepatocellular carcinoma; resource utilization; survival; treatment patterns.

Plain language summary

This study looked at how people diagnosed with liver cancer in British Columbia were treated, how long they lived and how much treatment cost. Treatment records were reviewed, and depending on the extent of the disease, treatments could include surgery, treatments directed at the liver and/or anti-cancer therapy. The average survival time varied from 21–33 months, with an average cost per patient of $94,000. This helps us understand the patient journey and future studies would include current treatment options.