Patient-Valued Outcomes and Supportive Care Priorities Among Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Qualitative Study

Background/Objectives: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) face complex treatment decisions, symptom and treatment burden, uncertainty, and disruption to everyday life. Although previous qualitative research has identified important treatment goals and supportive needs, less is known about how patient-valued outcomes relate to care experiences that can be interpreted through a supportive-care lens. This study explored outcomes that patients with HCC considered meaningful and the aspects of care they valued in relation to living with and receiving treatment for HCC. Methods: This secondary qualitative analysis included semi-structured interview data from 21 Thai adults with HCC receiving care at a university super-tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants had been purposively recruited to capture variation in disease stage and treatment experience. Interviews were conducted in Thai, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis was conducted using the original Thai-language transcripts. Results: Four interrelated themes were identified: (1) striving for survival while preserving quality of life; (2) navigating fear, uncertainty, and hope; (3) feeling recognized and cared for as a person; and (4) valuing timely, practical, and coordinated care. Participants described survival in relation to disease control, functioning, independence, and comfort. Their accounts also emphasized understandable treatment information, respectful and attentive interactions, practical self-management guidance, timely access, continuity, and coordination. Conclusions: Patients with HCC valued both clinical outcomes and the experience of receiving care. Supportive care was used as an analytical lens in this secondary analysis rather than as a concept directly defined by participants. HCC care may be strengthened by routinely identifying patient-prioritized outcomes and addressing informational, emotional, functional, practical, and coordination needs alongside disease-directed treatment.