The impact of margins on outcome after hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the impact of margin width on long-term outcome after hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis.


BACKGROUND
The optimal margin width and its influence on long-term outcome after hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis are unclear.


METHODS
All patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis from 1991 to 2003 were identified, and the prognostic influence of margin width and other clinicopathologic factors were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 1019 patients with a clear description of margin width were included. Analysis of margin width as a continuous variable suggested the following grouping: group I, involved (n = 112, 11%); group II, <1-10 mm (n = 563, 55%); and group III, >10 mm (n = 344, 33.7%). On univariate analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in median survival between all 3 groups: group II versus group I (42 vs. 30 months, P < 0.01) and group III versus group II (55 vs. 42 months, P < 0.01). Margin width >1 cm retained statistical significance (P < 0.01) on multivariate analysis after adjusting for established risk factors. After adjustment, survival in group III was significantly better than either group I or II (P < 0.01), but there was no difference between groups I and II (P = 0.31).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that margin width of >1 cm is optimal and is an independent predictor of survival after hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis. However, subcentimeter resections are also associated with favorable outcome and should not preclude patients from undergoing resection.
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Chandrakanth
C
Are
Mithat
M
Gonen
Kathleen
K
Zazzali
Ronald P
RP
Dematteo
William R
WR
Jarnagin
Yuman
Y
Fong
Leslie H
LH
Blumgart
Michael
M
D'Angelica
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends