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Blood Transfusions During Liver Surgery and Long-Term Outcomes in Liver Cancer Patients

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Blood Transfusions During Liver Surgery and Long-Term Outcomes in Liver Cancer Patients

Liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is often treated with surgery to remove part of the liver. In some cases, patients may need a blood transfusion during the operation. A new study looked at how these transfusions affect long-term outcomes for patients.

The study included more than 3,300 patients from multiple hospitals between 2014 and 2022. Researchers used something called the alpha-fetoprotein-tumor burden score (ATS). This score combines blood test results and tumor size to help doctors understand the severity of the cancer. Patients were divided into two groups: low/medium ATS and high ATS.

The results showed that for patients with a high ATS, blood transfusions during surgery did not affect survival or the risk of the cancer coming back. But for patients with low or medium ATS, blood transfusions were linked to worse outcomes. These patients had a higher chance of the cancer returning and lower long-term survival compared to those who did not receive transfusions.

This means that transfusions may not always be harmless during surgery, especially in patients with less aggressive liver cancer. Doctors may need to be extra careful about when to give blood transfusions in these cases.

For patients, this study highlights the importance of discussing surgical risks with their medical team. Understanding how different factors, like the need for a blood transfusion, can influence recovery and long-term health may help patients make better decisions.

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in Ahmeadbad
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