Hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases: prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the operative and long-term survival outcomes of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases during an 11-year period in a tertiary referral centre in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Between January 1989 and December 1999, 72 patients underwent hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. Clinical, pathological, and outcome data were prospectively collected and analysed. Factors affecting long-term survival were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-five (34.7%) patients were found to have synchronous hepatic metastasis at the time of colorectal resection. Fifty-two (72.2%) patients underwent major hepatic resection. The operative morbidity and hospital mortality rates were 19% and 4%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate after hepatectomy was 31.9%. The median disease-free survival and median overall cumulative survival were 18.5 months and 30.8 months, respectively. On multivariate analysis, a high preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level (>200 ng/mL) and tumour involvement of the resection margin at histology were the two independent risk factors that adversely affected survival outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases can be performed safely, with minimal operative mortality and acceptable morbidity, and results in satisfactory survival. High preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and histological involvement of resection margin by cancer adversely affect the survival outcome.
Liu
C L
CL
Centre for the Study of Liver Disease and Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
Fan
S T
ST
Lo
C M
CM
Law
W L
WL
Ng
I O L
IO
Wong
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen