A new macroscopic classification predicts prognosis for patient with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The authors defined a new macroscopic classification of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.


BACKGROUND
There were different prognostic results after the same operative procedure for liver metastases with similar background factors.


METHODS
Eighty-one resected liver metastases were classified into simple nodular (SN) or confluent nodular (CN) types according to the characteristics of the cut surface of the tumor.


RESULTS
The 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy were 41.7% for the SN lesions (n = 39) and 23.1% for the CN lesions (n = 42). The difference between the survival curves was statistically significant (p = 0.0307). Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model revealed that the macroscopic type (p = 0.023), the tumor diameter (p = 0.0001), and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0016) were statistically significant independent prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The new macroscopic classification may be valuable as a prognostic factor reflecting the biologic behavior of liver metastases.
Yasui
K
K
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan.
Hirai
T
T
Kato
T
T
Torii
A
A
Uesaka
K
K
Morimoto
T
T
Kodera
Y
Y
Yamamura
Y
Y
Kito
T
T
Hamajima
N
N
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies