Resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long term results of hepatic resection for metastases from colorectal cancer depend upon several factors which are related to both features of primary cancer and of metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors that best correlate with long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight hepatic resections were performed for colorectal cancer metastases. Long-term results were evaluated in relation to age of patients, features of primary tumor, features of metastases, section margin, number of intra-operative blood transfusions and execution of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival rate was 17%. 5-year survival rate in patients with stage B primary tumor was 63%, in patients with late metachronous metastases it was 28%, in patients with section margin > 1 cm it was 33% and in patients who did not receive intra-operative transfusions it was 45%. Patients with a solitary metastasis or with metastases sized less than 4 cm and those who received adjuvant chemotherapy also showed a better survival than the others. CONCLUSIONS: Better results were observed in patients without nodal involvement of the primary tumor. Patients with a small solitary metachronous metastasis that appeared more than one year after the colorectal resection and resected with a section margin of more than 1 cm, also showed good results.