Hepatic Resection of Coiorectal Metastases

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Abstract
An experience with 33 hepatic resections for metastatic colorectal cancer over a 7 yr period and with i.p. 5-FU [5-fluorouracil] administered as a postresection adjuvant in 21 of these patients. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of clinical determinants of postresection survival. There was no operative mortality in this series. Postoperative complications occurred in 27% of patients, and the incidence of complications correlated with intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.002). Two adn 4 yr estimated survival were 72% and 53%, respectively. Patients with 3 or fewer metastases resected or with unilobar disease had improved survival when compared with patients having more than 3 metastases or bilobar disease, respectively (P < 05). Disease-free survival was improved in patients with microscopically negative resection margins (P = 0.019). Duke''s stage of the primary lesion, interval between bowel resection and detection of hepatic metastases, method of detection of metastases, preoperative CEA level, and type of operation performed were not predictive of postresection survival. I.p. 5-FU was well tolerated. There was a trend toward improved survival in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, but this was not statistically significant. Apparently, the number of metastases resected, the distribution of the metastases, and the technical adequacy of the excision are all predictive of outcome following hepatic resection of colorectal metastases. Encouraging results with the use of i.p. 5-FU as a postresection adjuvant have led to the initiation of a prospective randomized trial investigating this modality at the NCI [National Cancer Institute].