Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to assess outcomes in patients undergoing liver biopsy for metastatic cancer, focusing on mortality rates and chemotherapy following their biopsy.
Methods: Hospital Episode Statistics data from 2010 to 2019 identified 30 992 patients with metastatic cancer who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy. Primary outcomes included 14-day and 30-day mortality rates, as well as the proportion receiving chemotherapy within 6 months.
Results: 30 992 patients were studied (median age of 69 (IQR 59–74) years, 52% female). 28% underwent inpatient biopsy with 8% dying within 14 days and 26% within 30 days. Outpatient biopsies had lower mortality rates: 2.2% at 14 days and 8.6% at 30 days. 30-day mortality was associated with: inpatient biopsy (OR 3.5 (95% CI 3.26 to 3.76)) and increasing comorbidity (Charlson score 1–4: 1.21 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.32)); but negatively with all ages under 70 (eg, for 18–29 years 0.35 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.63)) and biopsy at a radiotherapy centre (0.88 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.95)). 46% of patients received chemotherapy within 6 months of biopsy (53% with outpatient biopsies but only 33% with inpatient biopsies). Receiving chemotherapy was associated with: all ages under 70 (eg, 18–29 years 3.3 (95% CI 2.62 to 5.30)), female sex (1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.11)) and medium (1.13 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.22) and high (1.49 (95% CI 1.38 to 1.62)) volume liver biopsy providers; but negatively with inpatient biopsy (0.45 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.48)) and increasing comorbidity (Charlson score 1–4: 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.91)).
Conclusions: Mortality rates following liver biopsy for metastatic cancer are notably higher among patients undergoing emergency inpatient procedures. Clinicians should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of biopsy in elderly, comorbid or poor performance status patients. Multidisciplinary approaches involving palliative care may aid in decision-making for these patients.
Methods: Hospital Episode Statistics data from 2010 to 2019 identified 30 992 patients with metastatic cancer who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy. Primary outcomes included 14-day and 30-day mortality rates, as well as the proportion receiving chemotherapy within 6 months.
Results: 30 992 patients were studied (median age of 69 (IQR 59–74) years, 52% female). 28% underwent inpatient biopsy with 8% dying within 14 days and 26% within 30 days. Outpatient biopsies had lower mortality rates: 2.2% at 14 days and 8.6% at 30 days. 30-day mortality was associated with: inpatient biopsy (OR 3.5 (95% CI 3.26 to 3.76)) and increasing comorbidity (Charlson score 1–4: 1.21 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.32)); but negatively with all ages under 70 (eg, for 18–29 years 0.35 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.63)) and biopsy at a radiotherapy centre (0.88 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.95)). 46% of patients received chemotherapy within 6 months of biopsy (53% with outpatient biopsies but only 33% with inpatient biopsies). Receiving chemotherapy was associated with: all ages under 70 (eg, 18–29 years 3.3 (95% CI 2.62 to 5.30)), female sex (1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.11)) and medium (1.13 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.22) and high (1.49 (95% CI 1.38 to 1.62)) volume liver biopsy providers; but negatively with inpatient biopsy (0.45 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.48)) and increasing comorbidity (Charlson score 1–4: 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.91)).
Conclusions: Mortality rates following liver biopsy for metastatic cancer are notably higher among patients undergoing emergency inpatient procedures. Clinicians should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of biopsy in elderly, comorbid or poor performance status patients. Multidisciplinary approaches involving palliative care may aid in decision-making for these patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care |
| Early online date | 1 Aug 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 1 Aug 2024 |
Keywords
- Clinical decisions
- Palliative Care
- End of life care
- Quality of life
- Cancer
Access to Document
- KingD2024High_AAM.pdf
“This article has been accepted for publication in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2024, following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at DOI 10.1136/spcare-2024-004936. © Authors (or their employer(s)).