Exploring the association between chemotherapy and prognosis among patients less than 50 years old with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study based on the SEER database

CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy did not significantly improve survival for young patients with HCC. Treatment decisions should be approached cautiously, especially in cases with complex tumor characteristics. Future studies should explore the mechanisms of chemotherapy in younger patients and develop personalized treatment strategies to improve long-term outcomes.