Impact of portal vein embolization on long-term survival of patients with primarily unresectable colorectal liver metastases

The ALPPS procedure for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The main limiting factor to major hepatic resections is the amount of the future liver remnant (FLR). Associating Liver Partition with Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a procedure which induces a rapid hypertrophy of the FLR in patients with non-resectable liver tumours.

METHODS

ALPPS is a surgical technique of in-situ splitting of the liver along the main portal scissura or the right side of the falciform ligament, in association with portal vein ligation in order to induce a rapid hypertrophy of the left FLR.

RESULTS

The median FLR volume increase was 18.7% within one week after the first step and 38.6% after the second step. At the first step the median operating time was 300 min, blood transfusions were not required in any case, median blood loss was 150 cc. At the second step median operating time was 180 min, median blood loss was 50 cc, none of the patients required intra-operative blood. All patients are alive at a median follow up of 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel strategy seems to be feasible even in the context of a cirrhotic liver, and demonstrates the capacity to reach a sufficient FLR within a shorter interval of time.

Comparison of various surgical approaches for extensive bilateral colorectal liver metastases

PURPOSE

Tailored operative strategies have been proposed for patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome, safety and efficacy, including cancer-specific survival, morbidity, and mortality, of three different surgical strategies for extensive bilateral CLM.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of a prospective database of 356 consecutive patients, who underwent hepatic resection due to CLM between January 2003 and January 2009. Fifty-nine patients underwent three different therapeutic approaches: 22 patients with portal vein embolization (PVE) + staged resections, 11 patients with staged resections solely, and 26 patients with an extensive liver resection and simultaneous or subsequent radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

RESULTS

The three groups were comparable regarding their general patient characteristics. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 27.1 and 1.7 %, respectively. There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality, or survival between the three groups. The median survival of all patients was 48 months, with a recurrence-free survival of 30 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The clearance of bilobar CLM can be achieved by various strategies, all of them providing an acceptable mortality rate and survival for the patients. Therefore, patients with bilobar liver metastases should receive a procedure tailored for their individual extent of disease.

Impact of treatment modality and number of lesions on recurrence and survival outcomes after treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Ablative strategies have been used to treat and facilitate hepatic resection (HR) in patients with otherwise unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM). We evaluated the efficacy of HR, concomitant HR and ablation and isolated ablation on recurrence and survival outcomes after treatment of CLM in patients with 1-4 and ≥5 lesions, respectively.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected hepatobiliary surgery database was performed on patients who underwent treatment for isolated CLM between 1990 and 2010. Pre-operative and treatment characteristics were compared between patients who underwent HR, concomitant HR and ablation and ablation alone. The impact of treatment modality on survival and recurrence outcomes was determined.

RESULTS

A total of 701 patients met inclusion criteria; 550 patients (78%) had 1-4 lesions and 151 patients (22%) had ≥5 lesions. Overall median survival for the entire cohort was 35 months with 5- and 10-year survival of 33% and 20%, respectively. Overall median and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 13 months and 21%, respectively. For patients with 1-4 lesions, median survival was 37 months with 5-year survival of 36%. Stratified by procedure type, 5-year survival was 41% in patients who underwent HR, 35% in patients who underwent concomitant HR and ablation and 13% in patients who underwent ablation alone (P<0.001). For patients with ≥5 lesions, median survival was 28 months with 5-year survival of 23% without difference between treatment groups (P=0.078).

CONCLUSIONS

HR appears to be the most effective strategy for patients with 1-4 lesions. When ≥5 lesions are present, ablative strategies are useful in facilitating HR in otherwise unresectable patients.

Hepatic colorectal metastases involving infra-hepatic inferior vena cava in high risk patients for extended resection: an alternative method for achieving radical resection in patient with borderline liver remnant

Resection is the only chance of cure for isolated liver metastases from colorectal cancer. In the case of extended parenchymal resections, one crucial point is the ischemic damage to the remnant liver. We report an alternative technique for extremely extended liver resections without total hilar clamping for borderline liver remnants. Two patients presented with invasion of the infrahepatic vena cava, both with an estimated live remnant ≤20 %. The crucial point of the technique is the absence of a portal triad clamping in under beating heart-extracorporeal circulation. In both patients resection margins were free of disease. No signs of liver insufficiency were noted. Survival was more than 2 years in both cases. We believe that aggressive treatment of liver colorectal metastases should be given to all suitable patients. This operation may be added to the techniques that can be offered to these patients.

Portal vein embolization improves rate of resection of extensive colorectal liver metastases without worsening survival

BACKGROUND

Most patients requiring an extended right hepatectomy (ERH) have an inadequate standardized future liver remnant (sFLR) and need preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE). However, the clinical and oncological impact of PVE in such patients remains unclear.

METHODS

All consecutive patients presenting at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) requiring ERH at presentation from 1995 to 2012 were studied. Surgical and oncological outcomes were compared between patients with adequate and inadequate sFLRs at presentation.

RESULTS

Of the 265 patients requiring ERH, 126 (47·5 per cent) had an adequate sFLR at presentation, of whom 123 underwent a curative resection. Of the 139 patients (52·5 per cent) who had an inadequate sFLR and underwent PVE, 87 (62·6 per cent) had a curative resection. Thus, the curative resection rate was increased from 46·4 per cent (123 of 265) at baseline to 79·2 per cent (210 of 265) following PVE. Among patients who underwent ERH, major complication and 90-day mortality rates were similar in the no-PVE and PVE groups (22·0 and 4·1 per cent versus 31 and 7 per cent respectively); overall and disease-free survival rates were also similar in these two groups. Of patients with an inadequate sFLR at presentation, those who underwent ERH had a significantly better median overall survival (50·2 months) than patients who had non-curative surgery (21·3 months) or did not undergo surgery (24·7 months) (P = 0·002).

CONCLUSION

PVE enabled curative resection in two-thirds of patients with CLM who had an inadequate sFLR and were unable to tolerate ERH at presentation. Patients who underwent curative resection after PVE had overall and disease-free survival rates equivalent to those of patients who did not need PVE.

Portal vein embolization and ligation for extended hepatectomy

Portal vein occlusion through embolization or ligation (PVE, PVL) offers the possibility of increasing the future liver remnant (FLR) and thus reducing the risk of hepatic failure after extended hepatectomy We reviewed the indications, scope and applicability of PVE/PVL in treatment of primary and secondary liver tumours. A thorough PubMED, Embase, Ovid and Cochrane database search was carried out for all original articles with 30 patients or more undergoing either PVE and any patient series with PVL, irrespective of number with outcome measure in at least one of the following parameters: FLR volume change, complications, length of stay, time to surgery, proportion resectable and survival data. PVE can be performed with a technical success in 98.9 % (95 % confidence interval 97-100) patients, with a mean morbidity of 3.13 % (95 % CI 1.21-5.04) and a median in-hospital stay of 2.1 (range 1-4) days (very few papers had data on length of stay following PVE). The mean increase in volume of the FLR following PVE was 39.75 % (95 % CI 30.8-48.6) facilitating extended liver resection after a mean of 37.13 days (95 % CI 28.51-45.74) with a resectability rate of 76.88 % (95 % CI 70.91-82.84). Morbidity and mortality following such extended liver resections after PVE is 26.58 % (95 % CI 19.20-33.95) and 2.59 % (95 % CI 1.34-3.83) respectively with an in-patient stay of 13.57 days (95 % CI 9.8-17.37). However following post-PVE liver hypertrophy 6.29 % (95 % CI 2.24-10.34) patients still have post-resection liver failure and up to 14.2 % (95 % CI -8.7 to 37) may have positive resection margins. Up to 4.80 % (95 % CI 2.07-7.52) have failure of hypertrophy after PVE and 17.46 % (95 % CI 11.89-23.02) may have disease progression during the interim awaiting hypertrophy and subsequent resection. PVL has a greater morbidity and duration of stay of 5.72 % (95 % CI 0-15.28) and 10.16 days (95 % CI 6.63-13.69) respectively; as compared to PVE. Duration to surgery following PVL was greater at 53.6 days (95 % CI 32.14-75.05). PVL induced FLR hypertrophy by a mean of 64.65 % (95 % CI 0-136.12) giving a resectability rate of 63.68 % (95 % CI 56.82-70.54). PVL failed to produce enough liver hypertrophy in 7.4 % of patients (95 % CI 0-16.12). Progression of disease following PVL was 29.29 (95%CI 15.69-42.88). PVE facilitates an extended hepatectomy in patients with limited or inadequate FLR, with good short and long-term outcomes. Patients need to be adequately counselled and consented for PVE and EH in light of these data. PVL would promote hypertrophy as well, but clearly PVE has advantages as compared to PVL on account of its inherent "minimally invasive" nature, fewer complications, length of stay and its feasibility to have shorter times to surgery.

Actual incidence and long-term consequences of posthepatectomy liver failure after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases

INTRODUCTION

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a severe complication after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. This study evaluated its actual incidence and its effects on short- and long-term overall survival (OS) in a specialized center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2006 and 2008, 193 patients who underwent 232 hepatectomies (147 minor and 85 major) for colorectal liver metastasis were studied prospectively. Hepatectomy was performed if the remnant liver volume was >0.5% of body weight. Uni- and multivariate analyses on OS after all hepatectomies (n = 232) or major resection only (n = 85) were then performed on pre-, intra-, and postoperative (including pathological) data to determine the consequences of PHLF by comparison with those of other intra- and postoperative events.

RESULTS

The 3-month postoperative mortality rate was 0.8%. PHLF was observed in six patients (7%) after major hepatectomy and in one (0.6%) after minor hepatectomy. With a 25-month follow-up, the 2-year OS rate was 84%. Preoperatively, pulmonary metastasis was the only determinant of OS. Intra- and postoperatively, four factors were determinant of OS: PHLF (risk ratio [RR] = 3.84, P = .04), mental confusion (RR = 3.11, P = .006), fluid collection (RR = 2.9, P = .01) and transfusion (RR = 2.27, P = .009). After major hepatectomy, only PHLF (RR = 4.14, P = .01) and confusion (RR = 3.6, P = .02) were identified.

CONCLUSION

With improvements in postoperative management, PHLF was found to be less responsible for 3-month mortality but remains an event that exerts a major impact on 2-year survival.

Right and extended-right hepatectomies for unilobar colorectal metastases: impact of portal vein embolization on long-term outcome and liver recurrence

BACKGROUND

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is an effective procedure to increase the future remnant liver (FRL) before major hepatectomy. A controversial issue is that PVE may stimulate tumor growth and can be associated with poor prognosis after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PVE on long-term survival following major hepatectomy for CRLM.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2010, 100 right and extended-right hepatectomies for unilobar, right-sided CRLM were performed. Of the group, 20 patients underwent preoperative PVE (group A). The control patients (group B; 20 patients) were selected by matching with the group A patients.

RESULTS

It was found that 25 patients (25/40; 62.5%) had developed tumor recurrence. The rate of global recurrence was not significantly different in groups A and B (65% vs 60%, respectively; P = .744). The specific overall intrahepatic recurrence rate was 42.5% (17 of 40 patients) and was not significantly different in groups A and B (45% vs 40%, respectively; P = .749). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were similar in groups A and B (42.9% and 33.6% vs 42.1% and 27.7%, respectively). The 5-year specific liver-disease-free survival was 45.3% in group A and 53.5% in group B (P = .572). On multivariate analysis of all 100 hepatectomies, R1 resection (P = .013) was found to be the only independent predictor of liver-disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that PVE did not affect overall survival and specific liver-disease-free survival in patients undergoing right or right-extended hepatectomy for unilobar, right-sided CRLM.

What is the optimal neo-adjuvant treatment for liver metastasis?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the Western population and has a 5-year overall survival of 5-10% when metastatic. Approximately 30% of the patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have limited disease apparently isolated to the liver and, if this can be resected, the 5-year overall survival is improved to 30-60%. Therefore, it is important to identify patients who have both resectable disease and those with initially unresectable tumors who can potentially be downsized with chemotherapy to allow resection. First-line doublet chemotherapy regimens lead to response rates of 50-60%, triplet chemotherapy regimens may result in a response rate of up to 70%, and biological agents may add to responses or induce morphologic changes that facilitate disease resection. Surgical advances in recent years have also increased resectability rates and have challenged prior rules of resectability. Local therapies including ablation and radiation, often performed in conjunction with resection, may further aid in control of disease. The aim of this article is to focus on the role of neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND

The oncological benefit of repeat hepatectomy for patients with recurrent colorectal metastases is not yet proven. This study assessed the value of repeat hepatectomy for these patients within current multidisciplinary treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive patients treated by repeat hepatectomy for colorectal metastases between January 1990 and January 2010 were included. Patients undergoing two-stage hepatectomy were excluded. Postoperative outcome was analysed and compared with that of patients who had only a single hepatectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 1036 patients underwent 1454 hepatectomies for colorectal metastases. Of these, 288 patients had 362 repeat hepatectomies for recurrent metastases. Some 225 patients (78·1 per cent) had two hepatectomies, 52 (18·1 per cent) had three hepatectomies, and 11 patients (3·8 per cent) had a fourth hepatectomy. Postoperative morbidity following repeat hepatectomy was similar to that after initial liver resection (27·1 per cent after first, 34·4 per cent after second and 33·3 per cent after third hepatectomy) (P = 0·069). The postoperative mortality rate was 3·1 per cent after repeat hepatectomy versus 1·6 per cent after first hepatectomy. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates following first hepatectomy in patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy were 76 and 54 per cent respectively, compared with 58 and 45 per cent in patients who had only one hepatectomy (P = 0·003). In multivariable analysis, repeat hepatectomy performed between 2000 and 2010 was the sole independent factor associated with longer overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastases offers long-term survival in selected patients.

Prognostic importance of some clinical and therapeutic factors for the effect of portal vein embolization in patients with primarily inoperable colorectal liver metastases

INTRODUCTION

Portal vein embolization (PVE) may increase the resectability of liver metastases. However, the problem of PVE is insufficient growth of the liver or tumor progression in some patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of commonly available clinical factors for the result of PVE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Portal vein embolization was performed in 38 patients with colorectal liver metastases. Effects of age, gender, time between PVE and liver resection, oncological therapy after PVE, indocyanine green retention rate test, synchronous, metachronous and extrahepatic metastases, liver volume before and after PVE, increase of liver volume after PVE and the quality of liver parenchyma before PVE on the result of PVE were evaluated.

RESULTS

Liver resection was performed in 23 (62.2%) patients within 1.3 ±0.4 months after PVE. Tumor progression occurred in 9 (23.7%) patients and 6 (15.8%) patients had insufficient liver hypertrophy. Significant clinical factors of PVE failure were number of liver metastases (cut-off - 4; odds ratio - 4.7; p < 0.03), liver volume after PVE (cut-off 1000 cm(3); odds ratio - 5.1; p < 0.02), growth of liver volume after PVE (cut-off 150 cm(3); odds ratio - 18.7; p < 0.002), oncological therapy administered concomitantly with PVE (p < 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Negative clinical factors of resectability of colorectal cancer liver metastases after PVE included more than four liver metastases, liver volume after PVE < 1000 cm(3), growth of the contralateral lobe by less than 150 cm(3) and concurrent oncological therapy.

Selection for hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases: expert consensus statement

Hepatic resection offers a chance of a cure in selected patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). To achieve adequate patient selection and curative surgery, (i) precise assessment of the extent of disease, (ii) sensitive criteria for chemotherapy effect, (iii) adequate decision making in surgical indication and (iv) an optimal surgical approach for pre-treated tumours are required. For assessment of the extent of the disease, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is recommended depending on the local expertise and availability. Positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT may offer additive information in detecting extrahepatic disease. The RECIST criteria are a reasonable method to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy. However, they are imperfect in predicting a pathological response in the era of modern systemic therapy with biological agents. The assessment of radiographical morphological changes is a better surrogate of the pathological response and survival especially in the patients treated with bevacizumab. Resectability of CLM is dependent on both anatomic and oncological factors. To decrease the surgical risk, a sufficient volume of liver remnant with adequate blood perfusion and biliary drainage is required according to the degree of histopathological injury of the underlying liver. Portal vein embolization is sometimes required to decrease the surgical risk in a patient with small future liver remnant volume. As a complete radiological response does not signify a complete pathological response, liver resection should include all the site of a tumour detected prior to systemic treatment.

Surgical results after downstaging of initially marginal or non-resectable liver metastases

Surgery remains the best curative treatment for resectable patients with colorectal liver metastases. In patients initially considered unresectable, both refinements in surgical technique using portal vein occlusion or two-step resections and increased efficiency of chemotherapy regimen with the adjunction of antiangiogenics now allow secondary resection. Recent evidence suggests almost identical long-term survival in case of secondary downstaged lesions advocating an aggressive approach. However, these data lie on disparate and nonconsensual criteria for unresectability, which often do not gather technical and oncologic components together. Furthermore, both impaired general status and damaged underlying parenchyma as a consequence of prolonged chemotherapy to achieve resectability as well as the technical challenge required to perform adequate carcinologic resection could increase the operative risk in such patients. In our experience, a subgroup of slow chemo-responding initially unresectable patients who required preoperative liver volume modulation after ≥ 12 cycles of chemotherapy to achieve sufficient response experienced dramatically high operative risk which jeopardized postoperative chemotherapy and subsequently put these patients at increased risk of recurrence. Whether all patients preoperatively amenable to surgery using intensive chemotherapy and complex surgical strategy actually benefit from such an aggressive approach is a matter of ongoing debate, which needs a reappraisal.

The oncosurgery approach to managing liver metastases from colorectal cancer: a multidisciplinary international consensus

An international panel of multidisciplinary experts convened to develop recommendations for the management of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim was to address the main issues facing the CRC hepatobiliary multidisciplinary team (MDT) when managing such patients and to standardize the treatment patients receive in different centers. Based on current evidence, the group agreed on a number of issues including the following: (a) the primary aim of treatment is achieving a long disease-free survival (DFS) interval following resection; (b) assessment of resectability should be performed with high-quality cross-sectional imaging, staging the liver with magnetic resonance imaging and/or abdominal computed tomography (CT), depending on local expertise, staging extrahepatic disease with thoracic and pelvic CT, and, in selected cases, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with ultrasound (preferably contrast-enhanced ultrasound) for intraoperative staging; (c) optimal first-line chemotherapy-doublet or triplet chemotherapy regimens combined with targeted therapy-is advisable in potentially resectable patients; (d) in this situation, at least four courses of first-line chemotherapy should be given, with assessment of tumor response every 2 months; (e) response assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (conventional chemotherapy) or nonsize-based morphological changes (antiangiogenic agents) is clearly correlated with outcome; no imaging technique is currently able to accurately diagnose complete pathological response but high-quality imaging is crucial for patient management; (f) the duration of chemotherapy should be as short as possible and resection achieved as soon as technically possible in the absence of tumor progression; (g) the number of metastases or patient age should not be an absolute contraindication to surgery combined with chemotherapy; (h) for synchronous metastases, it is not advisable to undertake major hepatic surgery during surgery for removal of the primary CRC; the reverse surgical approach (liver first) produces as good an outcome as the conventional approach in selected cases; (i) for patients with resectable liver metastases from CRC, perioperative chemotherapy may be associated with a modestly better DFS outcome; and (j) whether initially resectable or unresectable, cure or at least a long survival duration is possible after complete resection of the metastases, and MDT treatment is essential for improving clinical and survival outcomes. The group proposed a new system to classify initial unresectability based on technical and oncological contraindications.

Is there new hope for patients with marginally resectable liver malignancies

Advances in surgical technique and better perioperative management have significantly improved patient outcomes after liver surgery. Even major hepatectomy can be performed safely with low morbidity and mortality. Post-resection liver failure is among the most feared complications after extended hepatectomy. In order to increase the future liver remnant (FLR) and to expand the pool of candidates for surgical resection, Schnitzbauer et al recently presented a new 2-stage surgical approach which combines right portal vein ligation (rPVL) with in situ splitting (ISS) of the liver parenchyma. In comparison to other current strategies, such as interventional portal vein embolization, hypertrophy of the FLR was more pronounced (median volume increase = 74%; range: 21%-192%) and more rapid (after a median of 9 d; range: 5-28 d) after rPVL and ISS. In this commentary, we discuss the technical aspects and clinical impact of rPVL combined with ISS. Based on the reported data, this new 2-stage therapeutic approach represents a promising new strategy for patients with locally advanced liver disease, previously regarded as marginally resectable or even unresectable, potentially enabling curative resection. However, morbidity is significant and mortality not negligible.

Portal vein embolization stimulates tumour growth in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases

OBJECTIVES

Portal vein embolization (PVE) can facilitate the resection of previously unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases. Bevacizumab is being used increasingly in the treatment of metastatic CRC, although data regarding its effect on post-embolization liver regeneration and tumour growth are conflicting. The objective of this observational study was to assess the impact of pre-embolization bevacizumab on liver hypertrophy and tumour growth.

METHODS

Computed tomography scans before and 4 weeks after PVE were evaluated in patients who received perioperative chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab. Scans were compared with scans obtained in a control group in which no PVE was administered. Future liver remnant (FLR), total liver volume (TLV) and total tumour volume (TTV) were measured. Bevacizumab was discontinued ≥ 4 weeks before PVE.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients and 11 control patients were included. Portal vein embolization induced a significant increase in TTV: the right lobe increased by 33.4% in PVE subjects but decreased by 34.8% in control subjects (P < 0.001), and the left lobe increased by 49.9% in PVE subjects and decreased by 33.2% in controls (P= 0.022). A total of 52.8% of the study group received bevacizumab and 47.2% did not. There was no statistical difference between the two chemotherapy groups in terms of tumour growth. Median FLR after PVE was similar in both groups (28.8% vs. 28.7%; P= 0.825).

CONCLUSIONS

Adequate liver regeneration was achieved in patients who underwent PVE. However, significant tumour progression was also observed post-embolization.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for preoperative risk assessment before hepatic resection

BACKGROUND

Contemporary liver surgery practice must accurately assess operative risk in increasingly elderly populations with greater co-morbidity. This study evaluated preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in high-risk patients undergoing hepatic resection.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort referred for liver resection, patients aged over 65 years (or younger with co-morbidity) were evaluated by preoperative CPET. Data were collected prospectively on functional status, postoperative complications and survival.

RESULTS

Two hundred and four patients were assessed for hepatic resection, of whom 108 had preoperative CPET. An anaerobic threshold (AT) of 9·9 ml O(2) per kg per min predicted in-hospital death and subsequent survival. Below this value, AT was 100 per cent sensitive and 76 per cent specific for in-hospital mortality, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 19 per cent and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100 per cent: no deaths occurred above the threshold. Age and respiratory efficiency in the elimination of carbon dioxide (VE/VCO(2)) at AT were statistically significant predictors of postoperative complications. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that a threshold of 34·5 for VE/VCO(2) at AT provided a specificity of 84 per cent and a sensitivity of 47 per cent, with a PPV of 76 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 58 to 88) per cent and a NPV of 60 (48 to 72) per cent for postoperative complications. Long-term survival of those with an AT of less than 9·9 ml O(2) per kg per min was significantly worse than that of patients with a higher AT (hazard ratio for mortality 1·81, 95 per cent c.i. 1·04 to 3·17; P = 0·036).

CONCLUSION

CPET provides a useful prognostic adjunct in the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing hepatic resection.

A complex oncosurgical approach to increasing the resectability of colorectal cancer metastases - a case report

AIM

In this case report, the authors aim to demonstrate the success of recent methods in the radical treatment of a patient with primary inoperable liver and subsequent colorectal cancer pulmonary metastases.

METHODS

A 75 year old patient with inoperable bulky metastasis in the right hepatic lobe and insufficient future remnant liver volume was indicated for a stage procedure in the liver parenchyma. Embolization of the right branch of the portal vein was first performed with subsequent administration of stem cells into the contralateral liver lobe. Following compensatory growth of the left liver lobe, right-sided hepatectomy was performed with subsequent adjuvant oncological treatment. Six months after the surgery, a metastasis developed in the right pulmonary lobe which was solved by metastasectomy.

RESULTS

The patient, one year after the diagnosis of inoperable liver metastasis, is completely healthy and free of signs of disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive oncosurgical approach using up-to-date diagnostic and treatment options may offer patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, radical treatment with the hope of long-term quality survival.

Comparative study of right portal vein ligation versus embolisation for induction of hypertrophy in two-stage hepatectomy for multiple bilateral colorectal liver metastases

AIM

In patients with two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for multiple bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer, few clinical series compare functional remnant hypertrophy of the liver volume between right portal vein ligation (PVL) and embolisation (PVE). Our objective is to analyse the effectiveness of portal vein ligation to achieve hypertrophy of the functional remnant volume (FRV) of the liver and to compare the results with portal vein embolisation in a series of patients with multiple bilobar liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2001 and September 2011 we performed a TSH in 41 patients with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases. A right PVL was performed in 23 patients with an insufficient FRV (three patients did not complete the second stage due to tumour progression and were excluded). We prospectively compare these results with the increased remnant volume obtained in 18 patients with right PVE.

RESULTS

The median FRV was higher in the patients with PVE, rising from 501 ml (range 309-703) to 636 ml (range 387-649), than those with PVL, rising from 510 ml (range 203-824) to 595 ml (range 313-1213) (p < 0.05). The median %FRVI was higher in the patients with PVE (median 40%; range 21-65%) than those with PVL (median 30%; range 21-60%) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PVL and PVE were effective in all cases for obtaining hypertrophy of the FRV before major liver resection. Right PVE obtains better results and should be used where necessary to achieve a further increase in volume.

Portal vein occlusion before major hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases: rationale, indications, technical aspects, complications and outcome

Surgery is the only curative treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), but resection should be total with tumor-free margins and the remaining parenchyma, functionally evaluated. The rationale behind portal vein embolization (PVE) to reduce the risk of these hepatic resections is threefold: (i) surgery for CRLM has become more and more aggressive, and hepatocellular insufficiency represents the leading cause of mortality after major hepatectomy for hepatic metastasis (HM), (ii) underlying hepatic disease occurs more frequently than previously thought in these patients having undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and can alter hepatic function and/or hinder postoperative regeneration, and (iii) the operative risk is increased if major hepatectomy is associated with resection of the primary tumor. The goal of this update is to review the reasons behind and the indications for PVE, to analyze the literature pertaining to whether PVE should be routine or selective, and to tackle certain technical aspects, all within the framework of the treatment of CRLM.

[A new surgical strategy for multiple multiple bilobular liver metastases: right portal occlusion and torniquet in the parenchyma section line]

Right portal vein occlusion plus «in situ split» has recently been reported as a new method to hypertrophy the functional remnant volume (FRV) in 7 days after two-stage liver resection. It is a complex procedure associated with the occlusion of the intrahepatic collaterals between both lobes. We present an original technique for hypertrophying the FRV by occluding the right portal vein and the intrahepatic collaterals: a case is presented of a 35-year-old woman with an intestinal stromal tumour, 14 bilobar metastases and an estimated 24% FRV. Once the lesions were removed from the left lobe, we performed a right portal vein transection and applied a tourniquet on the Cantlie line, using the hanging manoeuvre. A 57% hypertrophy of the FRV was achieved by day 7, and the right hepatectomy was performed on day 8. Our technique is effective and simple to perform and if corroborated in future studies, this technique would be of choice in 2-stage liver resection.

Bilobar spreading of colorectal liver metastases does not significantly affect survival after R0 resection in the era of interdisciplinary multimodal treatment

PURPOSE

Bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are often considered incurable or associated with poor prognosis even after R0 resection. In this single-center study, we evaluate the impact of CRLM spreading on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific overall survival (CSS) after R0 resection of CRLM with respect to multimodal treatment strategies including perioperative chemotherapy and multistep resections.

METHODS

Between January 2001 and December 2010, R0 resection could be achieved in 70 patients with bilobar and 100 with unilobar CRLM. Extent of disease, perioperative chemotherapy, surgical procedures, adjuvant treatment, histopathological workup, RFS, and CSS were compared between both cohorts.

RESULTS

Forty-six (66 %) patients with bilobar and 26 (26 %) patients with unilobar CRLM received preoperative chemotherapy (p < 0.001). For bilobar CRLM, more extended and multistep resection including portal vein occlusion were performed (29 % versus 3 %; p < 0.001). Morbidity (39 % versus 28 %, p = 0.183) and mortality (1 % versus 3 %, p = 0.644) rates were comparable in both patients' cohorts. Postoperative therapy was applied in adjuvant intent to 42 (60 %) versus 51 (51 %) patients (p = 0.275). The 5-year RFS and CSS rates were 24 % versus 31 % (p = 0.169) and 42 % versus 55 % (p = 0.131), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

To our single-center experience, there is no significant effect of CRLM spreading (bilobar versus unilobar) on RFS and CSS rates. Bilobar CRLM are more likely to require extended multimodal efforts to achieve R0 resection.

Current state of surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Hepatic resection is the procedure of choice for curative treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Objectives of surgical strategy are low intraoperative blood loss, short liver ischemic times and minor postoperative morbidity and mortality. Blood loss is an independent predictor of mortality and compromises, in common with postoperative complications, long-term outcome after hepatectomy for CLM. The type of liver resection has no impact on the outcome of patients with CLM; wedge resections are not inferior to anatomical resections in terms of tumor clearance, pattern of recurrence or survival. Despite the lack of proof of survival benefit, routine lymphadenectomy has been advocated, allowing the detection of microscopic lymph node metastases and with prognostic value. In experienced hands, minimally invasive liver surgery is safe with acceptable morbidity and mortality and oncological results comparable to open hepatic surgery, but with reduced blood loss and earlier recovery. The European Colorectal Metastases Treatment Group recommended treating up front with chemotherapy for patients with both resectable and unresectable CLM. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can induce damage to the remnant liver, dependent on the number of chemotherapy cycles. Therefore, in our opinion, preoperative chemotherapy should be reserved for patients whose CLM are marginally resectable or unresectable. A meta analysis of randomized trials dealing with perioperative chemotherapy for the treatment of resectable CLM demonstrated a benefit of systemic chemotherapy but did not answer the question of whether a neoadjuvant or adjuvant approach should be preferred. Analysis of the literature demonstrates that the results of specialized centers cannot be attained in the reality of comprehensive patient care. Reasons behind the commonly poorer results seen in cancer networks as compared with literature-based data are, on the one hand, geographical disparities in access to specialized surgical and medical care. On the other hand, a selection bias in the reports of the literature may be assumed. Studies of surgical resection for CLM derive almost exclusively from case series generally drawn from large academic centers where patient selection or surgical expertise is superior to what is found in many communities. Therefore, we may conclude that the comprehensive propagation of the standards outlined in this paper constitutes a major task in the near future to reduce the variations in survival of patients with CLM.

Short- and long-term results of extended left hepatectomy for colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND

An extended left hepatectomy is a complex hepatic resection often performed for large tumours in close relationship to major hilar structures. Operative outcomes of this resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess short- and long-term outcome for patients with CLM after an extended left hepatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing an extended left hepatectomy for CLM in a large, single-centre cohort between January 1990 and January 2006 was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (3.9%) from a consecutive series of 802 patients who had undergone hepatic resection were identified as having met the definition of an extended left hepatectomy and were included for further analysis. Maximum tumour size was more than 60 mm in 15 patients, with a median size of 67.5 mm for the total group (range: 20 to 160 mm). Twenty-six patients presented with initially unresectable metastases, related to large tumour size in 11 patients and to a close relation with major vascular structures in six patients. Preoperative chemotherapy was administered to 29 patients. Combined vascular resection was performed in five patients. The mortality rate at 90 days was zero and post-operative morbidity occurred in 17 patients. R0 and R1 resections were performed in 17 and 11 patients, respectively. Three- and 5-year overall survival was 38% and 27%, respectively. Disease-free survival was 9% and 4% at 3 and 5 years. Morbidity did not differ between patients with and without a caudate lobectomy (9 of 17 patients vs. 8 of 14 patients, respectively) (P= 0.815).

CONCLUSIONS

An extended left hepatectomy for CLM can provide significant long-term survival. However, morbidity is increased in this complex procedure. A caudate lobectomy does not impact surgical outcome.

Impact of expanding criteria for resectability of colorectal metastases on short- and long-term outcomes after hepatic resection

BACKGROUND

An expansion of resectability criteria of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is justified provided "acceptable" short-term and long-term outcomes. The aim of the present study was to ascertain this paradigm in an era of modern liver surgery.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for CLM at our institute between 1990 and 2010 were included in the study. Ninety-day mortality and morbidity rates were determined in the total study population and in 2 separate time periods (group I: 1990-2000; group II: 2000-2010). Similarly, overall and progression-free survival rates were determined. Independent predictors of postoperative morbidity were identified at multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2010, 1394 hepatectomies were performed in 1028 patients. Overall perioperative mortality and postoperative morbidity rates were 1.3% and 33%, respectively. Although patients in group II were older, had more often comorbid illnesses, and presented with more extensive liver disease, similar perioperative mortality rates were observed (1.1% in group I and 1.4% in group II; P = 0.53). A trend toward a higher morbidity rate was observed in group II (34% vs 31% in group I; P = 0.16). Independent predictors of postoperative morbidity were: treatment between 2000 and 2010, total hepatic ischemia time of 60 minutes or more, maximum size of CLM of 30 mm or more at histopathology, and presence of abnormalities in the nontumoral liver parenchyma. Although a trend toward lower overall survival was observed in patients with significant postoperative complications, no significant differences were observed in long-term outcomes between both treatment periods.

CONCLUSION

After an aggressive multidisciplinary treatment of CLM, acceptable overall mortality and morbidity rates were observed. Perioperative mortality rates did not differ according to treatment period; however, more recently operated patients experienced more postoperative complications. These favorable short-term outcomes, without worsening of long-term outcomes, justify an expansion of the criteria for resectability in this patient category.

Therapeutic efficacy of combined intraoperative ablation and resection for colorectal liver metastases: an international, multi-institutional analysis

BACKGROUND

Only 10-25% of patients presenting with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are amenable to hepatic resection. By combining resection and ablation, the number of patients eligible for surgery can be expanded. We sought to determine the efficacy of combined resection and ablation for CRLM.

METHODS

Between 1984 and 2009, 1,425 patients who underwent surgery for CRLM were queried from an international multi-institutional database. Of these, 125 patients underwent resection combined with ablation as the primary mode of treatment.

RESULTS

Patients presented with a median of six lesions. The median number of lesions resected was 4; the median number of lesions ablated was 1. At last follow-up, 84 patients (67%) recurred with a median disease-free interval of 15 months. While total number of lesions treated (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.47, p = 0.23) and number of lesions resected (HR = 1.18, p = 0.43) did not impact risk of intrahepatic recurrence, the number of lesions ablated did (HR = 1.36, p = 0.05). Overall 5-year survival was 30%. Survival was not influenced by the number of lesions resected or ablated (both p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Combined resection and ablation is associated with long-term-survival in a subset of patients; however, recurrence is common. The number of lesions ablated increases risk of intrahepatic recurrence but does not impact overall survival.

Biologic modulation of chemotherapy in patients with hepatic colorectal metastases: the role of anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR antibodies

In the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, the subset of patients with liver-only metastases shows the greatest promise for prolonged survival and cure. Advances in surgery and medical treatment have encouraged multimodality treatment strategies and therefore require a true multidisciplinary approach. The current standard of care includes peri-operative chemotherapy and surgery. The new era of biologically targeted therapy requires an in-depth look at the possible efficacy and risks of adding these agents to the treatment protocol.

Surgical treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most frequent cancers in Western societies with an incidence of around 700 per million people. About half of the patients develop metastases from the primary tumor and liver is the primary metastatic site. Improved survival rates after hepatectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer have been reported in the last few years and these may be the result of a variety of factors, such as advances in systemic chemotherapy, radiographic imaging techniques that permit more accurate determination of the extent and location of the metastatic burden, local ablation methods, and in surgical techniques of hepatic resection. These have led to a more aggressive approach towards liver metastatic disease, resulting in longer survival. The goal of this paper is to review the role of various forms of surgery in the treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome compromises liver regeneration in patients undergoing two-stage hepatectomy with portal vein embolization

PURPOSE

Several factors have been reported to affect liver regeneration after portal vein embolization (PVE); however, the effect of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) has not been evaluated. Therefore, we assessed the effect of SOS on liver regeneration after PVE in patients with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases scheduled to undergo two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) combined with PVE.

METHODS

The subjects of this study were 78 patients prospectively scheduled to undergo TSH between December 1996 and August 2009. Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded nontumoral tissue samples were collected from the 1st- and 2nd-stage hepatectomies in 42 and 45 patients, respectively, and SOS and steatohepatitis were diagnosed pathologically. We analyzed the clinicopathological variables affecting liver regeneration after PVE.

RESULTS

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was diagnosed in 11 (26.2%) and 20 patients (44.4%) at the time of the 1st- and 2nd-stage hepatectomy, respectively. Patients with SOS at the 1st-stage hepatectomy had a significantly lower hypertrophy ratio of the future remnant liver (FRL) after PVE than patients without SOS (16.8 ± 24.0 vs 55.6 ± 32.5; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SOS was an independent factor predicting lower FRL hypertrophy after PVE (Δ% FRL <20: hazard ratio 31.7, 95% confidence interval 2.84-355.12; P = 0.005). The incidence of postoperative transient liver failure after the 2nd-stage hepatectomy in patients presenting with SOS was higher than that in those without SOS, but the difference did not reach significance (25.0% vs 4.0%; P = 0.052). Steatohepatitis was confirmed at the 1st- and 2nd-stage hepatectomy in 6 (14.3%) and 3 (6.7%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome inhibits FRL hypertrophy after PVE and induces postoperative liver failure. Therefore, an alternative strategy is needed to perform TSH safely in the presence of SOS.

Culture and characterization of thymic epithelium from autoimmune NZB and NZB/W mice

Autoimmune NZB and NZB/W mice display early abnormalities in thymus histology, T cell development, and mature T cell function. Abnormalities in the subcapsular/medullary thymic epithelium (TE) can also be inferred from the early disappearance of thymulin from NZB. It has also been reported that NZB thymic epithelial cells do not grow in culture conditions that support the growth of these cells from other strains of mice. In order to study the contribution of TE to the abnormal T cell development and function in NZB and NZB/W mice, we have devised a culture system which supports the growth of TE cells from these mice. The method involves the use of culture vessels coated with extracellular matrix produced by a rat thymic epithelial cell line. TEA3A1, and selective low-calcium, low-serum medium. In addition TEA3A1 cells have been used as an antigen to generate monoclonal antibodies specific for subcapsular/medullary TE. These antibodies, as well as others already available, have been used to show that the culture conditions described here select for cells displaying subcapsular/medullary TE markers, whereas markers for cortical TE and macrophages are absent.