Outcome after hepatectomy for multiple (four or more) colorectal metastases in the era of effective chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Hepatic resection is generally accepted as the only potential for long-term survival in patients with colorectal metastases confined to the liver. Despite an unknown benefit, hepatic resection is playing an increasing role in patients with extensive disease.


METHODS
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained hepatobiliary surgical database was carried out. Outcome after hepatectomy for four or more colorectal hepatic metastases was reviewed.


RESULTS
Between 1998 and 2002, out of a total of 584 patients, 98 (17%) with four or more colorectal hepatic metastases were resected. Actuarial 5-year survival was 33% for the entire group, with seven actual 5-year survivors. There were no perioperative deaths, and the perioperative morbidity was 28%. Positive margins and extrahepatic disease resection were independently associated with poor outcome. The median disease-free survival was 12 months, with no actuarial disease-free survivors at 5 years. Recurrence pattern, response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, time to recurrence, and resection of recurrent disease were also associated with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survival can be achieved after resection of multiple colorectal metastases; however, because most patients will experience recurrence of disease, effective adjuvant therapy and close follow-up is necessary.
Kornprat
Peter
P
Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Jarnagin
William R
WR
Gonen
Mithat
M
DeMatteo
Ronald P
RP
Fong
Yuman
Y
Blumgart
Leslie H
LH
D'Angelica
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome