Long-term survival following resection of colorectal hepatic metastases

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study was to analyse characteristics of patients who survived more than 5 years after liver resection of colorectal metastases. Methods A multicentre retrospective study collected 1818 patients who underwent curative resection of hepatic metastases between 1959 and 1991. Among the 747 patients operated on before 1987, 102 survived longer than 5 years, and were compared with patients who survived less than 5 years. Results Three risk factors proved independently significant in multivariate analysis between the two groups: serosa infiltration (P = 0·003), involvement of peritumoral lymph nodes around the primary colorectal tumour (P = 0·04), and a liver resection margin of less than 1 cm (P = 0·02). There was no significant difference for other parameters studied (location of primary tumour, location, number and size of metastases, type of resection). A trend towards a shorter survival of patients with increased carcinoembryonic antigen serum level was observed. Conclusion Resection of colorectal hepatic metastases can provide long‐term survival even in patients with poor prognostic factors. It seems justified to undertake resection of colorectal liver metastases whenever it may be performed safely as a curative treatment.