Liver Cancer Surgery in China: Two Nonagenarians Discharged After Hepatectomy at Fudan Cancer Center

For families researching liver cancer surgery abroad, age alone can feel like a barrier. Many international patients worry that elderly loved ones may be turned away from complex procedures. News from Shanghai offers a different perspective: surgeons at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center recently performed successful liver cancer surgeries on two patients over 90 years old, and both walked out of the hospital together on the same day.

Two Patients, Two Surgeries, One Remarkable Day

On an ordinary morning at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, two extraordinary patients prepared for discharge. A 93-year-old man and a 91-year-old woman, both recovering from liver cancer surgery, left their ward side by side. The hospital had completed both hepatectomies within a single day, a logistical and clinical feat that underscores the center’s experience with geriatric oncology.

The 93-year-old male patient, surnamed Chen, had been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). His tumor was located in a challenging position, requiring a precise anatomical resection. The 91-year-old female patient, surnamed Wang, also presented with HCC but with different tumor characteristics, necessitating a tailored surgical approach. Both patients had pre-existing age-related conditions that required careful perioperative management.

How the Fudan Team Assessed Surgical Risk in Elderly Patients

According to the hospital report, the surgical team did not rely on chronological age as a contraindication. Instead, they conducted comprehensive geriatric assessments, evaluating organ function, frailty scores, nutritional status, and cardiopulmonary reserve. Professor Zhou Jian, a leading liver surgeon at the center, emphasized that physiological age matters more than the number of birthdays. The team used advanced 3D imaging and liver volumetry to plan resections that preserved maximum healthy liver tissue while achieving clear margins.

This approach aligns with global trends in geriatric oncology. A study in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology notes that comprehensive geriatric assessment can predict surgical outcomes more accurately than age alone. At Fudan, the multidisciplinary team included hepatologists, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and nutritionists who collaborated throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols for Liver Cancer Surgery in China

Both nonagenarian patients benefited from Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, which have been widely adopted in Chinese liver surgery centers. These protocols include minimally invasive techniques where possible, optimized pain management, early mobilization, and targeted nutritional support. For elderly patients, ERAS reduces the risk of delirium, pulmonary complications, and prolonged hospital stays.

The hospital reported that both patients were mobilized within 24 hours of surgery and began oral intake shortly thereafter. Their smooth recovery allowed for discharge earlier than typically expected for patients of advanced age undergoing major abdominal surgery. For more information on liver cancer treatment options, visit our guide on liver cancer treatment in China.

China’s Growing Expertise in Geriatric Oncology Surgery

Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center is one of the highest-volume liver cancer centers in the world. China accounts for nearly half of all new liver cancer cases globally, which has driven the development of specialized surgical expertise. The center performs thousands of hepatectomies annually, including many on patients over 80. This high volume contributes to refined surgical techniques and perioperative care pathways that directly benefit patients, regardless of age.

While these two cases are remarkable, they reflect a broader institutional capability rather than isolated success stories. The center’s liver surgery department has published extensively on surgical outcomes in elderly patients with HCC, demonstrating that age alone should not preclude curative-intent surgery when patients are carefully selected and managed.

For patients considering oncology treatment in China, this news highlights the depth of experience available at major Chinese cancer hospitals.

While liver cancer surgery in nonagenarians remains a carefully individualized decision, this development reflects a broader reality: Chinese oncology centers are increasingly equipped to perform complex cancer surgeries on elderly patients who might be declined elsewhere. For international patients, this means access to surgical teams with extensive experience in geriatric cases and perioperative care systems designed to support older adults through recovery.

What This Means for Patients

For families exploring safe surgery in China for an elderly relative with liver cancer, the key takeaway is that advanced age does not automatically close the door to curative treatment. The decision hinges on a thorough geriatric assessment, not a birthday. Major Chinese cancer centers like Fudan have the case volume and multidisciplinary infrastructure to manage complex elderly patients. If you are researching getting medical care in China as a foreigner, it is essential to request a comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation that goes beyond basic lab tests. Always seek hospitals with documented experience in geriatric oncology and established enhanced recovery programs.

Source: 复旦大学附属肿瘤医院 via 上观新闻

Reviewed by ToChinaMed. Published: 2025-03-18. This article is based on publicly available medical news and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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