Prognostic factors following liver resection for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to identify prognostic factors that may allow better patient selection for liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective analysis of the files of 120 patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases between 9/85 and 12/96 was performed. Survival and disease-free survival were calculated, and a uni- and multivariate analysis for the prognostic impact of various perioperative factors on survival was performed.

RESULTS

Perioperative morbidity and mortality were 28.3% and 5.8% respectively. Median overall survival was 30 months with a 5-year survival rate of 31%. Radicality was the prime prognostic determinant. In patients with R0-resection, a liver metastasis of > 3.5 cm in diameter was the only independent factor associated with an adverse prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver resection for colorectal liver metastases should be attempted if complete resection with clear margins is feasible and may be especially beneficial in patients with small (< or = 3.5 cm) lesions.