Benefits and safety of hepatic resection for colorectal metastases.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic colorectal carcinoma to the liver is a potentially curable disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal carcinoma.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-one consecutive hepatic resections in 110 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer between January 1978 and September 1998 performed by a single surgeon were reviewed.


RESULTS
The actuarial 5-year survival for all patients in the series was 46%. Of the patients operated on before 1993, the actual 5-year survival was 43% and actual disease-free 5-year survival was 28%. The actual 10-year survival was 27%, and of all patients operated on in the last 20 years, 48% are alive today. When comparing initial regional lymph node status, the 5-year survival was 54% for the patients with negative lymph nodes and 40% for patients with positive nodes. Only 18% of patients required a perioperative blood transfusion, and the median length of stay was 7 days. There were complications in 34% of cases, and the operative mortality was 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic resection for metastatic colon cancer is safe, and significant longevity and cure can be obtained after resection.
Harmon
K E
KE
Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98111, USA.
Ryan
J A
JA
Biehl
T R
TR
Lee
F T
FT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome