Long-term results of simultaneous and delayed liver resections of synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases.

BACKGROUND

Complete resection is the only potential curative treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases. Although simultaneous liver and colon resections became an accepted procedure at specialized centres for selected patients, there is still little data about the long-term results of simultaneous operative procedures compared with those of delayed operations. In this retrospective study, the long-term survival rates of the patients who underwent simultaneous or delayed resections were presented.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of liver resections in our institution between 1997 and 2012 was performed. Among 131 patients presented with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, 52 underwent simultaneous and 79 delayed resection. Patients with extrahepatic metastases were excluded, except for 10 patients with metastases limited to liver and lungs that were qualified as resectable.

RESULTS

Age, sex and localization of the primary tumour were similar in the two groups. In the delayed resection group, the majority of colon resections were performed in different hospitals. The frequency of complications did not differ between the groups. The 1, 5 and 10 years survival rates were 77%, 43% and 20% in simultaneous and 86%, 37% and 19% in delayed resection group, respectively. No cancer related deaths occurred after more than 10 years of observation.

CONCLUSION

The long-term outcome of simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases is comparable to delayed resection.