Indicators for treatment strategies of colorectal liver metastases

Tumor budding and dedifferentiation in gallbladder carcinoma: potential for the prognostic factors in T2 lesions

Dedifferentiation (DD) is often encountered in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and poor prognosis with budding (BD) has been reported for other malignancies. However, the features of DD and BD in GBC remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the features and prognostic potential of DD and BD in GBC. A total of 80 patients with GBC (excluding intramucosal cancer) were enrolled. DD was histopathologically evaluated as tumors in which the grade of the invasive front is higher than the grade at the surface. BD was defined as an isolated single cancer cell or a cluster of fewer than five cancer cells at the invasive front. Of the 80 patients, 47 (58.8%) were positive for BD and 33 (41.2%) were positive for DD. Both BD and DD correlated significantly with disease-specific survival in univariate analysis (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0013, respectively), but they were not identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. In univariate analysis according to T stage, both BD and DD correlated significantly with survival in patients with T2 (n = 32) tumor (P = 0.0011 and P = 0.0018, respectively), whereas no prognostic impact in patients with T1b (n = 8), T3 (n = 34), or T4 (n = 6) tumor. Both DD and BD are frequently observed in GBC and reflect prognosis, particularly for T2 lesions. Therefore, the status of BD and DD should be taken into consideration in pathological reports on GBC.

Is the clinical risk score for patients with colorectal liver metastases still useable in the era of effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Background

Several clinical risk scores (CRSs) for the outcome of patients with colorectal liver metastases have been validated, but not in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, this study evaluates the predictive value of these CRSs in this specific group.

Methods

Between January 2000 and December 2008, all patients undergoing a metastasectomy were analyzed and divided into two groups: 193 patients did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (group A), and 159 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (group B). In group B, the CRSs were calculated before and after administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results were evaluated by using the CRSs proposed by Nordlinger et al., Fong et al., Nagashima et al., and Konopke et al.

Results

In groups A and B, the overall median survival was 43 and 47 months, respectively (P = 0.648). In group A, all CRSs used were of statistically significant predictive value. Before administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, only the Nordlinger score was of predictive value. After administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, all CRSs were of predictive value again, except for the Konopke score.

Conclusions

Traditional CRSs are not a reliable prognostic tool when used in patients before treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, CRSs assessed after the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy are useful to predict prognosis.

[Liver metastases: pathogenesis and oncogenesis]

Liver metastases are most often caused by colorectal cancer, followed by pancreatic and breast cancer. Metastasis constitutes the last step of malignant tumor progression. Molecular investigations point towards an important role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a mechanism of local invasion and distant metastasis formation. Furthermore, the existence of a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSC) could be demonstrated in solid tumors. Recent observations show a dynamic induction of CSC properties by EMT. Therefore, theoretically migrating cancer stem cells (MCSC) can be induced which form the basis for the development of distant metastases.

Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases – Understanding the Differences in the Management of Synchronous and Metachronous Disease

Introduction: Metastatic disease to the liver in colorectal cancer is a common entity that may present synchronously or metachronously. While increasing surgical experience has improved survival outcomes, some evidence suggest that synchronous lesions should be managed differently. This review aims to update current literature on differences between the outcomes and management of synchronous and metachronous disease. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of MEDLINE database up till November 2008. Results: Discrete differences in tumour biology have been identified in separate studies. Twenty-one articles comparing outcomes were reviewed. Definitions of metachronicity varied from anytime after primary tumour evaluation to 1 year after surgery for primary tumour. Most studies reported that synchronous lesions were associated with poorer survival rates (8% to 16% reduction over 5 years). Sixteen articles comparing combined vs staged resections for synchronous tumour showed comparable morbidity and mortality. Benefits over staged resections included shorter hospital stays and earlier initiation of chemotherapy. Suitability for combined resection depended on patient age and constitution, primary tumour characteristics, size and the number of liver metastases, and the extent of liver involvement. Conclusions: Surgery remains the only treatment option that offers a chance of long-term survival for patients amenable to curative resection. Synchronicity suggests more aggressive disease although a unifying theory for biological differences explaining the disparity in tumour behaviour has not been found. Combined resection of primary tumour and synchronous metastases is a viable option pending careful patient selection and institutional experience. Given the current evidence, management of synchronous and metachronous colorectal liver metastases needs to be individualised to the needs of each patient. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms, Liver neoplasms, Neoplasm metastasis, Synchronous Cancer, Metachronous cancer

Intratumoural cytogenetic heterogeneity of sporadic colorectal carcinomas suggests several pathways to liver metastasis

Much has been learned about the chromosomal abnormalities of colorectal carcinomas but the cytogenetic relationship between the neoplastic clones present in primary versus metastatic tumour samples remains unclear. We analyse the frequency of abnormalities for 47 chromosome regions using the interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization technique in a group of 48 tumours, including 24 primary colorectal tumours and 24 paired liver metastases. All tumours showed complex karyotypes with numerical/structural abnormalities for seven or more different chromosomes/chromosome regions both in the primary tumours and in their paired metastases. Chromosome 8 was the most frequently altered (22/24 primary tumours), consistently showing del(8p22) and/or gains/amplification of 8q24, followed by abnormalities of the entire chromosome 7 (21/24 primary tumours) and of chromosomes 17p and 20q (20/24 primary tumours). Simultaneous staining for multiple chromosome probes revealed the presence of two or more tumour cell clones in 23/24 cases (46/48 tumour samples). Interestingly, the liver metastases typically contained tumour cell clones similar to those found in the primary tumours, suggesting the absence of selective selection of specific tumour clones. Despite this, additional chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 23/24 metastatic tumours, which preferentially consisted of del(17p13) and gains/amplification of 11q13 and 20q13; moreover, compared to primary tumours, metastases showed an increased number of abnormalities of chromosomes 1p, 7q, 8q, 13q, and 18q, and new chromosomal abnormalities involving chromosomes 6, 10q23, 14q32, 15q22, and 19q13. Owing to the high frequency of numerical abnormalities of the entire chromosome 7 and loss and/or gain/amplification of specific regions of chromosome 8, eg del(8p22) and/or gains/amplification of 8q24 in primary colorectal tumours with associated metastases, it is suggested that their assessment at diagnosis could be of great clinical utility for the identification of colorectal cancer patients at higher risk of developing liver metastases.

[Repeat resection of the liver--a challenge in modern oncologic surgery]

Surgical and oncological treatment of liver metastases of CRC has made a significant progress in the last twenty years. Although chemotherapy has developed enormously, only successfully resected (R0) patients may hope a long-term survival. The almost 60% recurrence rate after resection is a significant challenge. Authors review patients data operated at the Surgical Department of Uzsoki Teaching Hospital between 1995 and 2008 with hepatic metastases of colorectal origin. Oncological and surgical principles are summarized in the sight of the recent literature review and authors own experience with repeat hepatic resection. Recent literature data demonstrate--which is confirmed by our experience--that R0 resection of recurrent hepatic metastases provides similar overall 5 year survival rate than that of patients who underwent a single resection only. In the case of recurrent CLM, the oncoteam should prepare a surgically resectable situation.

Prognostic scores for colorectal liver metastasis: clinically important or an academic exercise?

OBJECTIVES

Over the last decade, various groups have proposed prognostic scoring systems for patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) treated with hepatic resection. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the differences between and clinical importance of these prognostic scoring systems and to determine their clinical applicability.

METHODS

Relevant articles were reviewed from the published literature using the MEDLINE database. The search was performed using the keywords 'colorectal cancer', 'metastases', 'liver resection' and 'hepatectomy'.

RESULTS

Twelve prognostic scoring systems were identified from 1996 to 2009. Six of these originated from European institutions, three from Asian and three from North American centres. The median study sample was 288 patients (range 81-1568 patients) and median follow-up was 35 months (range 16-52 months). All studies were retrospective in nature and the numbers of groups proposed by the various scoring systems ranged from three to six. All the studies used the Cox proportional hazard model for multi-variable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no 'ideal' prognostic scoring system for the clinical management of patients with CLM for hepatic resection. These prognostic scoring systems are clinically relevant with respect to survival but have not been used for risk stratification in controversial areas such as the administration of chemotherapy or surveillance programmes.

Validation of prognostic scoring systems for patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Several prognostic scoring systems have been established for patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases; however, comparative analyses of their prognostic relevance is still lacking in the literature. The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive value of five published scoring systems in an independent patient cohort for the purpose of external validation.

METHODS

A total of 281 patients underwent liver resection for CRC liver metastases at our institution between January 2002 and January 2008. The predictive value of the Nordlinger score, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) score, Iwatsuki score, Basingstoke index, and Mayo scoring system was assessed in this patient set. Furthermore, clinical and pathologic parameters included in the assessed scoring systems were analyzed by means of univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The disease-specific survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 94.6%, 61.8%, and 33.7%, respectively. Of the assessed scoring systems, only the MSKCC score (P = .006) and the Iwatsuki score (P = .01) provided a statistically significant stratification of patients with regard to survival. The predictive value was particularly evident for patients grouped within the high-risk categories. None of these patients was alive at 3 years after surgery. The 3-year survival rates for high-risk patients in the remaining three scoring systems was > 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

In our patient cohort, survival was only predicted by MSKCC and Iwatsuki scores. These findings highlight the importance of validating scoring systems in independent patient groups.

The EGF 61A/G polymorphism - a predictive marker for recurrence of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Variations in the DNA sequence of the gene EGF can lead to alterations in EGF activity, which is suspected to influence tumor progression. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the influence of EGF 61A/G polymorphism on the recurrence of liver metastases after hepatic surgery in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS

EGF 61A/G polymorphism was determined in 268 consecutive patients (175 [65%] men and 93 [35%] women, mean age 62 +/- 10.3 years) who had liver metastases at primary diagnosis and were treated by surgery with curative intent (R0) for liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Overall, 81 of 268 (30%) patients exhibited wild-type EGF 61 A/A, 137 (51%) were heterozygous EGF 61 A/G and 50 (19%) were homozygous EGF 61 G/G. After adjusting for age, sex, UICC stage and tumor location, we observed a trend-wise 1.6-fold increased risk for hepatic recurrence (HR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.5, P = 0.06) in individuals with the G/G genotype compared with carriers of the A-allele. The effect was much more pronounced in younger patients (<or= 65 years), who showed a 2.0-fold increased risk of hepatic recurrence (HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.5, P = 0.021). No effect was observed in older patients (>or= 65 years). Interestingly, male patients with EGF G/G had a 1.6-fold higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.5, P = 0.07). A significant correlation (P = 0.033) was detected between Dukes classification and the homozygous 61 G/G genotype.

CONCLUSION

Despite the limitations of our study, the retrospective results indicate that carriers of the EGF polymorphism might be at higher risk of developing liver recurrences. If confirmed in subsequent studies, genotyping for the EGF A/G variant might help in identification of patients at high risk of recurrence of liver metastases.

Comparison of clinical risk scores predicting prognosis after resection of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the risk scores of Fong et al., Nordlinger et al., and the TNM classification of colorectal liver metastases proposed by the UICC.

METHODS

Data from 282 consecutive patients undergoing 303 liver resections for metastatic colorectal cancer between 1995 and 2006 at the Department of Surgery, University of Erlangen were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 34 months. A curative (R0) resection was performed in 92% of the patients.

RESULTS

Applying the clinical risk score of Fong with preoperative data identified three risk groups. The survival rates between "low risk" (n = 22) and "intermediate risk" (n = 222) diverged (P = 0.073). The survival rates between "intermediate risk" and "high risk" (n = 59) differed significantly (P = 0.030). Using the risk scoring system of Nordlinger, patients were divided into two risk groups (i.e., "low risk" (n = 218) and "intermediate risk" (n = 68)). Significant differences in survival between the groups were noted (P = 0.012). Applying the clinical TNM classification of colorectal liver metastases revealed no significant differences in survival between the risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found the clinical risk score developed by Fong et al. to be a reliable preoperative prognostic tool for selecting patients for surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Systematic review of tumour number and outcome after radical treatment of colorectal liver metastases

Background

Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) is potentially curative but the effect of tumour number on prognosis is uncertain. This study compared the prognosis after resection and/or ablation of between one and three, or four or more CLMs.

Methods

A systematic literature review from January 2000 to June 2008 was performed. Study selection and data extraction were standardized, and analysis included assessment of methodological quality, heterogeneity and bias. Main outcomes were 3- and 5-year survival. A meta-analysis comparing radical treatment in the two groups was performed using the hazard ratio for overall survival.

Results

Of 1307 studies screened, 46 (9934 patients) were included in the analysis. Methodological quality was variable, and there was significant heterogeneity and reporting bias. The overall 5-year survival rate after radical treatment ranged from 7 to 58 per cent. Pooled hazard ratio for overall survival was 1·67 (95 per cent confidence interval 1·43 to 1·95; P &lt; 0·001). Median reported 5-year survival for patients with four or more CLMs was 17·1 per cent.

Conclusion

Radical treatment of more than three CLMs results in poorer overall survival. Nevertheless, 5-year survival is achievable and the number of lesions should not, of itself, be used to exclude patients from surgery.

E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and ZEB1 in malignant progression of cancer

The embryonic program 'epithelial-mesenchymal transition' (EMT) is activated during tumor invasion in disseminating cancer cells. Characteristic to these cells is a loss of E-cadherin expression, which can be mediated by EMT-inducing transcriptional repressors, e.g. ZEB1. Consequences of a loss of E-cadherin are an impairment of cell-cell adhesion, which allows detachment of cells, and nuclear localization of beta-catenin. In addition to an accumulation of cancer stem cells, nuclear beta-catenin induces a gene expression pattern favoring tumor invasion, and mounting evidence indicates multiple reciprocal interactions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin with EMT-inducing transcriptional repressors to stabilize an invasive mesenchymal phenotype of epithelial tumor cells.

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen monitoring after curative resection for colorectal cancer: clinical significance of the preoperative level

AIM

We evaluated preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer and determined when surveillance of this marker was useful.

METHODS

Serum CEA was measured preoperatively in 1,263 patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer at 3-month intervals for the first 2 postoperative years and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Mean follow-up was 48 months (range 1-156 months).

RESULTS

The 5-year disease-free survival was less in patients with a high preoperative serum CEA level (P<0.0001). Among patients with a tumor recurrence, 38.5% had high follow-up serum CEA levels. The number of patients with high postoperative serum CEA levels exceeded the number of patients with high preoperative levels. High preoperative and follow-up serum CEA levels were independent prognostic factors for tumor recurrence (P=0.003 and P<0.001, respectively). In patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels, CEA surveillance had a 92.3% positive predictive value (PPV) and a 96.1% negative predictive value (NPV). The mean interval between postoperative serum CEA elevation and the diagnosis of a tumor recurrence [diagnostic interval (DI)] was 2.5 months (range 5-17 months). The DI was 0 in 18.8% of patients with a tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION

High serum CEA levels preoperatively and at follow-up are prognostic factors for colorectal cancer. Postoperative serum CEA surveillance is used most effectively when patients have high preoperative serum CEA levels. Considering the DI of 0 in 18.8% of the patients, the current CEA surveillance schedule might be changed.

[Prognostic factors after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases]

INTRODUCTION

There are many studies that analyse preoperative factors with a poor prognosis in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases, in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. However, there are few studies that evaluate the intraand postoperative prognostic factors. The aim of this study is to analyse pre-, intra- and postoperative prognostic factors in a series of 210 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases, with special emphasis on the postoperative factors that can give us information on the aggressiveness of the tumour and the curative effectiveness of the surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Between September 1996 and December 2006, 210 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases in whom we analysed pre-, intra- and postoperative factors of survival. Mean follow-up was 55+/-3 months (range: 12-124 months).

RESULTS

The postoperative mortality rate was 1.4% and the morbidity rate was 22%. Actuarial and disease-free survival at 1-, 3- and 5-years was 89.9% vs 63%, 66.9% vs 32%, and 53.8% vs 23%, respectively. Among the preoperative factors analysed, the age>65 years and LM size>5 cm were independent predictors of poor overall survival, whereas the other two significant factors were obtained from those analysed postoperatively: presence of microsatellitosis and postoperative CEA levels (at 1 and 3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with colorectal carcinoma liver metastases we must take into account certain postoperative factors that can give us information on the aggressiveness of the tumour and the effectiveness of the surgery.

Pulmonary resection for colorectal cancer metastases: duration between cancer onset and lung metastasis as an important prognostic factor

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary resection is the most effective treatment available for colorectal lung metastases. However, the characteristics of those patients most likely to benefit from surgical resection have not yet been adequately clarified. We have made a critical analysis for the potential prognostic factors and their clinical significance in lung metastasis from colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed 63 consecutive patients who underwent curative pulmonary resection for colorectal lung metastases at National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1997 to December 2006. Median follow-up was 37.3 (range 12-122) months. Disease-free and overall survival rates were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate analyses of various prognostic characteristics were performed.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates were 43.9% and 19.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the interval for development of lung metastases from primary colorectal cancer and the mode of operation were the only two independent prognostic factors for survival. With regard to disease-free survival, the interval between initial resection of colorectal cancer and following lung metastases was the only significant independent prognostic factor. Besides, subset analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate in repeated resection group for recurrence of colorectal metastasis in residual lung was 85.7%.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary resection, initial or even repeated resection for metastatic tumor from colorectal cancer should be encouraged for selected patients as it can significantly improve survival. Patients who have lung metastases within 1 year after primary tumor resection and those who do not undergo anatomical resection for metastatic lung tumor should be followed more carefully due to poor prognosis.

Molecular prediction of early recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poor. Vascular invasion, tumour multiplicity and large tumour size are the conventional poor prognostic indicators related to early recurrence. However, it is difficult to predict prognosis of each HCC in the absence of these indicators. The purpose of this study is to predict early recurrence of HCC after radical resection based on whole human gene expression profiling. Microarray analyses were performed in 139 HCC primary tumours. A total of 88 cases lacking the conventional poor prognostic indicators were analysed to establish a molecular prediction system characteristic for early recurrence in 42 training cases with two polarised prognoses, and to test its predictive performance in 46 independent cases (group C). Subsequently, this system was applied to another 51 independent cases with some poor prognostic indicators (group D). The molecular prediction system accurately differentiated HCC cases into poor and good prognoses in both the independent group C (disease-free survival [DFS]: p=0.029, overall survival [OS]: p=0.0043) and independent group D (DFS: p=0.0011, OS, p=0.035). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the clinical value of molecular prediction system was an independent prognostic factor (p<0.0001, hazard ratio=3.29). Gene expression pattern related to early intrahepatic recurrence inherited in the primary HCC tumour can be useful for the prediction of prognosis.

Identification of the molecular mechanisms for dedifferentiation at the invasion front of colorectal cancer by a gene expression analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to identify gene expression signatures that accompany dedifferentiation at the cancer invasion front in colorectal cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Two types of colorectal cancer were selected. Both types were well-differentiated adenocarcinomas at the superficial lesion. One type showed a dedifferentiated phenotype at the invasion front (type A, 13 samples); the other showed almost no dedifferentiated cancer cells at the invasion front (type B, 12 samples). Laser microdissection was combined with a cDNA microarray analysis to investigate the superficial lesions and the invasion front in colorectal cancers.

RESULTS

Eighty-three genes were differentially expressed between types A and B in the superficial lesions, and the samples of superficial lesions were divided correctly into two clusters by these genes. Interestingly, the samples of the invasion front were also divided into the two same clusters by these genes. The text mining method selected 10 genes involved in potential mechanisms causing dedifferentiation of cancer cells at the invasion front. The potential mechanisms include the networks of transforming growth factor-beta, Wnt, and Hedgehog signals. The expression levels of 10 genes were calculated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and 8 genes were confirmed to be significantly differentially expressed between two types (P < 0.05). The gene expression profiles of 8 genes divided 12 test cases into two clusters with one misclassification.

CONCLUSIONS

The molecular mechanisms constructed with 8 genes from three networks of transforming growth factor-beta, Wnt, and Hedgehog signals were found to correlate with dedifferentiation at the invasion front of colorectal cancer.

Tumour budding at invasive margins and outcome in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Tumour budding, defined as small clusters of undifferentiated cancer cells at invasive margins, has been shown to reflect biologic aggressiveness of colorectal cancers. We therefore examined the prognostic significance of tumour budding in patients with colorectal carcinoma, particularly focusing on comparisons with other clinicopathological findings.

METHOD

Tumour budding was investigated in surgically resected specimens from 159 patients with colorectal carcinoma. With haematoxylin and eosin stained slides containing the entire invasive margin, the degree of tumour budding was classified into three grades: mild, <1/3 of the entire invasive margin; moderate, 1/3-2/3; marked, >2/3.

RESULTS

Mild tumour budding was found in 54 (34%) cases, moderate in 59 (37%) cases and marked in 46 (29%) cases. The degree of budding was linked with poor tumour differentiation, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, patients with marked tumour budding [5-year cancer-related survival (CRS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS), 39%/53%] had significantly worse survival [CRS, hazard ratio (HR), 4.561; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.265-9.184; P < 0.001; RFS, HR, 3.240; 95% CI, 1.430-7.342; P = 0.005] than those with mild (5-year CRS/RFS, 80%/82%) or moderate (63%/66%) budding. In the Cox regression model, marked tumour budding (HR, 3.137; 95% CI, 1.517-6.487; P = 0.002) and advanced tumour stage (stage III, HR, 3.226; 95% CI, 1.475-7.053; P = 0.003; stage IV, HR, 24.443; 95% CI, 10.843-55.100; P < 0.001) proved to be an independent predictor of short CRS.

CONCLUSION

Tumour budding is a practical and significant histological index for identification of high malignant potential and poor outcome in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Influence of surgical margin on type of recurrence after liver resection for colorectal metastases: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) may offer good long-term survival. The impact of the tumor-free surgical margin on long-term results remains controversial, and we have assessed this component in 185 patients.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 2005, 185 patients underwent primary hepatectomy with curative intent for CRLM (which originated from colon/rectum 133/52, synchronous/metachronous 66/119, and single/multiple 100/85). In this study, 105 major and 80 minor hepatectomies were evaluated; 133 hepatectomies had pedicle clamping.

RESULTS

Operative mortality was 1.1%, morbidity was 25.7%, and blood transfusion requirement was 27.6%. Stratification of tumor-free margin in the patients with R0 liver resection was greater than or equal to 10 mm (63.0% of patients), 6-9 mm (11.4% of patients), 3-5 mm (16.5% of patients), and less than or equal to 2 mm (9.1% of patients), with infiltrated margin in the remainder (R1 liver resection 4.9% of the total number of patients). The 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 54.9%, 37.9%, and 22.9%, respectively. Global and surgical margin recurrence rates increased as the tumor-free margin decreased (P = .01 and P < .001, respectively). At univariate analysis, the width of surgical margin (P < .001), transfusion requirement, major hepatectomy, R1 resection, number of metastases, high preoperative CEA, and increasing tumor size (P value from .001 to .03) were associated with lesser rates of long-term survival. A similar association was found with disease-free survival. At multivariate analysis, width of surgical margin was the only independent predictor of both overall (P = .003) and disease-free (P < .001) survival. Although smaller margins were associated with synchronicity, increasing number of, and with bilobar distribution of, metastases which contributed to explain recurrences away from the margin), the width of surgical margin maintained the prominent impact on outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In our patients, the width of the surgical margin was a powerful prognostic factor after hepatectomy for CRLM. A resection margin less than or equal to 5 mm was associated with a greater risk of recurrence on the surgical margin, with a lesser rate of overall and disease-free survival.

Hepatic resection for colorectal metastases: value for risk scoring systems?

INTRODUCTION

Predictors of outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer remain inconsistent. We aimed to identify predictors of outcome in these patients, to develop a prognostic scoring system, and to assess the general applicability of the current major risk scoring systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following IRB approval, medical records of 662 consecutive patients undergoing resection of colorectal metastases to the liver during 1960 to 1995 were reviewed. Clinicopathologic and outcome data were assessed from records and mailed questionnaire. Clinicopathologic variables were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses; best-fit models were then generated to study the effect of each independent risk factor on outcome. To validate existing scoring models, our independent data set was applied to those scores. The relative concordance probability estimates were calculated for these models and compared with that of the proposed Mayo model.

RESULTS

The overall and disease-specific 5-year survival rates were 37% and 42%, respectively. The probability of recurrence at any site was 65% at 5 years. Perioperative blood transfusion and positive hepatoduodenal nodes were the major determinants of survival and recurrence. To assess the general applicability of the proposed risk scoring systems, we imported the data from our patient population into 3 other scoring systems. Neither survival nor recurrence among our patients was stratified discretely by any of the scoring systems. Based on probability estimates, all models were only marginally better than chance alone in predicting outcome.

CONCLUSION

Broad application of risk scoring systems for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer has limited clinical value and refinement and external validation should be undertaken before utilization.

Role of APAF-1, E-cadherin and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration in tumour budding in colorectal cancer

Tumour budding or dedifferentiation at the invasive margin of colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important prognostic marker and linked mechanistically to dysregulation of Wnt pathway signalling. Since budding is observed in only 40% of CRCs, we hypothesized that Wnt pathway dysregulation may be a necessary but insufficient explanation for budding and that buds may be destroyed selectively by tumour immune mechanisms. Twenty potential markers of tumour budding were evaluated in tissue microarrays (TMAs) obtained from the main tumour body of 1164 DNA mismatch repair-proficient CRCs and the findings were correlated with tumour budding, lymphocytic infiltration and survival. Loss of expression of E-cadherin and APAF-1 were independent predictors of budding (sensitivity 70.3% and specificity 48.2% when one or the other was lost). Peritumoral lymphocytes (PTLs) were observed more frequently in CRCs with loss of either E-cadherin or APAF-1 that were budding-negative. PTLs and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were strongly correlated. The absence of TILs increased the adverse prognostic impact of E-cadherin and APAF-1 loss. Co-occurrence of E-cadherin loss, APAF-1 loss and low TIL counts in CRCs was an independent prognostic factor. The findings were verified in whole tissue sections from 88 CRCs with known KRAS mutation status (which was not associated with budding). Loss of E-cadherin and APAF-1 within the main body of CRCs are independent predictors of tumour budding. The prognostic benefit of lymphocytic infiltration may be explained by the immune destruction of budding cells.

Tumor budding as a prognostic marker in stage-III rectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Tumor budding along the invasive margin is known to be associated with biological behavior in colorectal carcinoma. The aims of this study were to explore if the semiquantitative assessment of tumor budding in rectal cancers correlates with oncological behavior and to appraise if the tumor budding is valid as a pathological parameter in distinguishing tumors with higher malignancy potential from those with lower one for prognostic stratification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surgical specimens from 244 patients with well- or moderately differentiated rectal carcinoma were retrieved to assess the intensity of tumor budding at the invasive margin. Intensities were divided semiquantitatively into four groups based on quartiles, and the 5-year disease-free survivals (DFS) were analyzed to search for a cutoff point of prognostic stratification.

RESULTS

The cutoff of the intensity considered to be the best indicator for dividing patients into subgroups with different DFS was between quartiles 3 and 4, but this survival difference in subgroups in either side of the cutoff was significant only in stage-III disease [5-year DFS, 62.1 vs 35.1%; p = 0.0023; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1824-0.6919]. Based on multivariate analysis, the intensity of budding proved to be an independent variable associated with DFS (hazard ratio, 2.005; p = 0.0086; 95% CI, 1.021-3.934). When scores were given to grade of budding (lower, 0; higher, 1) and N stage (N1, 0; N2, 1) in stage III, a better prognostic stratification in terms of the 5-year DFS was obtained than the American Joint Committee on Cancer nodal staging only (0 vs 1 vs 2, 66.5 vs 42.6 vs 29.2%; p = 0.0101).

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative assessment of tumor budding is a reliable biological prognostic variable to identify higher malignancy potential. Scoring system using tumor budding and N stage showed better prognostic stratification in stage-III rectal carcinoma. A prospective evaluation would confirm the clinical significance of tumor budding for prognostic stratification.

Surgical therapy for colorectal metastases to the liver

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the West and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 35 to 55% of patients with colorectal cancer develop hepatic metastases during the course of their disease. Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases represents the only chance at potential cure, and long-term survival can be achieved in 35 to 58% of patients after resection. The goal of hepatic resection should be to resect all metastases with negative histologic margins while preserving sufficient functional hepatic parenchyma. In patients with extensive metastatic disease who would otherwise be unresectable, ablative approaches can be used instead of or combined with hepatic resection. The use of portal vein embolization and preoperative chemotherapy may also expand the population of patients who are candidates for surgical treatment. Despite these advances, many patients still experience a recurrence after hepatic resection. More active systemic chemotherapy agents are now available and are being increasingly employed as adjuvant therapy either before or after surgery. Modern treatment of colorectal liver metastasis requires a multidisciplinary approach in an effort to increase the number of patients who may benefit from surgical treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

A systematic review on the significance of extracapsular lymph node involvement in gastrointestinal malignancies

AIMS

The impact of extracapsular lymph node involvement (LNI) has been studied for several malignancies, including gastrointestinal malignancies. Aim of this study was to assess the current evidence on extracapsular LNI as a prognostic factor for recurrence in gastrointestinal malignancies.

METHODS

The Cochrane Database of systematic reviews, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and MEDLINE databases were searched using a combination of keywords relating to extracapsular LNI in gastrointestinal malignancies. Primary outcome parameters were incidence of extracapsular LNI and overall five-year survival rates.

FINDINGS

Fourteen manuscripts were included, concerning seven oesophageal, three gastric, one colorectal, and three rectal cancer series with a total of 1528 node positive patients. The pooled incidence of extracapsular LNI was 57% (95% CI: 53-61%) for oesophageal cancer, 41% (95% CI: 36-47%) for gastric cancer, and 35% (95% CI: 31-40%) for rectal cancer. In nine of the 14 studies a multivariate analysis was performed. In eight of these nine studies extracapsular LNI was identified as an independent risk factor for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Extracapsular LNI is a common phenomenon in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. It identifies a subgroup of patients with a significantly worse long-term survival. This systematic review highlights the importance of assessing extracapsular LNI as a valuable prognostic factor. Pathologists and clinicians should be aware of this important feature.

Importance of intra-individual variation in tumour volume of hepatic colorectal metastases

AIMS

The efficacy of surgical resection for multiple colorectal hepatic metastases (MCHM) has been controversial. We examined the survival of patients who received surgery for MCHM and examined the factors associated with survival.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 50 consecutive patients who received hepatic resections for MCHM, defined as four or more metastatic lesions of colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Overall survival after hepatic resection for MCHM was 48% at 3years and 43% at 5years (median survival, 22.3months). Multivariate analyses revealed that a coefficient of variation (CV) in volume of hepatic metastases in each individual patient above 1.8 (P=0.01, HR=4.08, 95% CI=1.33-12.5) was the only poor prognostic factor after resection of MCHM.

CONCLUSIONS

A CV in volume of hepatic metastases in each individual patient above 1.8 predicts poor survival after hepatectomy of MCHM. Thus, the CV in volume of hepatic metastases in each individual patient might be useful in planning the therapeutic strategy for patients with MCHM.

Proposal of a new and simple staging system of colorectal liver metastasis

AIM: To create a new, simple and useful staging system for colorectal liver metastasis analogous to the Tumor Node Metastasis classification system of International Union Against Cancer.

METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 81 consecutive patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (group 1). Clinical and pathological features of both primary and metastatic liver cancers were entered into a multivariate analysis to determine independent variables helpful in accurately predicting long-term prognosis after hepatectomy. Using selected variables, we created a new staging system like TNM classification. The usefulness of the new staging system was examined in a series of 92 patients from another hospital (group 2).

RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that 81 patients in group 1 had significant multiple hepatic tumors with the largest tumor being more than 5 cm in diameter, resectable extrahepatic distant metastases, and independent prognostic factors for poor survival after hepatectomy. Using these three variables, we created a new staging system to classify patients with colorectal liver metastases. Finally, our new staging system classified the patients both in group 1 and in group 2.

CONCLUSION: Our new staging system of colorectal liver metastasis is simple and useful for staging patients.

ASCO 2006 Update of Recommendations for the Use of Tumor Markers in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Purpose

To update the recommendations for the use of tumor marker tests in the prevention, screening, treatment, and surveillance of gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods

For the 2006 update, an update committee composed of members from the full Panel was formed to complete the review and analysis of data published since 1999. Computerized literature searches of Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration Library were performed. The Update Committee's literature review focused attention on available systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published tumor marker studies.

Recommendations and Conclusion

For colorectal cancer, it is recommended that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) be ordered preoperatively, if it would assist in staging and surgical planning. Postoperative CEA levels should be performed every 3 months for stage II and III disease for at least 3 years if the patient is a potential candidate for surgery or chemotherapy of metastatic disease. CEA is the marker of choice for monitoring the response of metastatic disease to systemic therapy. Data are insufficient to recommend the routine use of p53, ras, thymidine synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, thymidine phosphorylase, microsatellite instability, 18q loss of heterozygosity, or deleted in colon cancer (DCC) protein in the management of patients with colorectal cancer. For pancreatic cancer, CA 19-9 can be measured every 1 to 3 months for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease receiving active therapy. Elevations in serial CA 19-9 determinations suggest progressive disease but confirmation with other studies should be sought. New markers and new evidence to support the use of the currently reviewed markers will be evaluated in future updates of these guidelines.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis in resectable synchronous and metachronous colorectal liver metastasis

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic resection may offer long-term survival for patients with colorectal metastases. However, controversies exist regarding the prognostic factors. Herein, the impact of synchronicity of liver metastasis on patient clinicopathological features and prognosis was evaluated.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-five patients who underwent hepatectomy for colon cancer metastasis, from 1995 to 2004, were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: synchronous and metachronous colorectal liver metastasis. Patient demographics, the nature of the primary and metastatic tumors, surgery-related complications, and long-term outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients included in the synchronous group tended to be younger than those in the metachronous group. Compared to the metachronous group, patients in the synchronous group showed more metastases (P = 0.008) and bilobarly distributed metastases (P = 0.016). Bile leakage was the most common surgical complication. The estimated 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 16.8 and 41.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that synchronous metastases, advanced stage of the primary tumor, bilobar distribution of the metastases, more than three metastases, and colonic versus rectal location of the primary tumor were prognostic factors of shorter disease-free survival, but not overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that synchronous metastases and the advanced stage of the primary tumor were indicators for a worse disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The synchronous presence of primary colon cancer and liver metastasis may indicate a more disseminated disease status and is associated with a shorter disease-free survival than metachronous metastasis. These patients may need more careful monitoring and aggressive chemotherapy following curative resection.

Proposal of criteria to select candidates with colorectal liver metastases for hepatic resection: Comparison of our scoring system to the positive number of risk factors

AIM: To select accurately good candidates of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis.

METHODS: Thirteen clinicopathological features, which were recognized only before or during surgery, were selected retrospectively in 81 consecutive patients in one hospital (GroupI). These features were entered into a multivariate analysis to determine independent and significant variables affecting long-term prognosis after hepatectomy. Using selected variables, we created a scoring formula to classify patients with colorectal liver metastases to select good candidates for hepatic resection. The usefulness of the new scoring system was examined in a series of 92 patients from another hospital (Group II), comparing the number of selected variables.

RESULTS: Among 81 patients of GroupI, multivariate analysis, i.e. Cox regression analysis, showed that multiple tumors, the largest tumor greater than 5 cm in diameter, and resectable extrahepatic metastases were significant and independent prognostic factors for poor survival after hepatectomy (P < 0.05). In addition, these three factors: serosa invasion, local lymph node metastases of primary cancers, and post-operative disease free interval less than 1 year including synchronous hepatic metastasis, were not significant, however, they were selected by a stepwise method of Cox regression analysis (0.05 < P < 0.20). Using these six variables, we created a new scoring formula to classify patients with colorectal liver metastases. Finally, our new scoring system not only classified patients in GroupIvery well, but also that in Group II, according to long-term outcomes after hepatic resection. The positive number of these six variables also classified them well.

CONCLUSION: Both, our new scoring system and the positive number of significant prognostic factors are useful to classify patients with colorectal liver metastases in the preoperative selection of good candidates for hepatic resection.

Overexpression of the receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility is an independent adverse prognostic factor in colorectal cancer

RHAMM, a member of the microtubule-associated protein family that interacts with the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, is associated with tumor progression, aggressive disease and shortened survival in several tumor types. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of RHAMM in colorectal cancer (CRC). A series of 1420 unselected, nonconsecutive CRC resections were subdivided into three groups: (1) DNA mismatch repair (MMR)-proficient, (2) MLH1 negative and (3) presumed Lynch syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis of RHAMM expression (0 vs >0%), increasing expression (increasing percentage positivity) and complete expression (100 vs <100%) was performed using tissue microarray technique and the results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Fifty-seven tissue samples of normal colonic mucosa were included as a control group. In a univariate analysis increasing and complete expression of RHAMM were associated with higher N stage (P=0.023 and 0.021) and worse survival (P<0.0001) in MMR-proficient CRC. Complete expression of RHAMM was associated with worse survival in presumed Lynch syndrome (P=0.016). In MLH1-negative CRC there was no association between RHAMM expression and the clinicopathological features. In a multivariate analysis, increasing RHAMM expression was an independent adverse prognostic factor in MMR-proficient CRC (P<0.0001) and complete expression in MMR-proficient CRC and presumed Lynch syndrome (P<0.0001 and P=0.031, respectively). Nuclear pERK expression was associated with increasing RHAMM expression in MMR-proficient CRC (P=0.012) and with complete RHAMM expression in presumed HNPCC (P=0.03). Increasing and complete RHAMM expressions are independent adverse prognostic factors in MMR-proficient CRC and presumed Lynch syndrome.

Tumor buds show reduced expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 chain in DNA mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Tumor budding at the invasive margin of colorectal cancer is an important adverse prognostic factor. The subset of colorectal cancer that is deficient in DNA mismatch repair has been associated with a good prognosis. It is hypothesized that tumor budding in this subset may lack biologic aggressiveness because it is not associated with aberrant expression of the independent prognostic factor, laminin-5 gamma 2.

METHODS

Eighty colorectal cancers with high-grade tumor budding were studied, including nine sporadic colorectal cancers with immunohistochemical loss of expression of MLH1 (MLH1(-)), seven colorectal cancers from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and 64 sporadic colorectal cancers expressing both MLH1 and MSH2 (MLH1(+)). Two regulatory mechanisms for laminin-5 gamma 2 expression were explored, including aberrant nuclear expression of beta-catenin by immunohistochemistry and promoter methylation of laminin-5 gamma 2 by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Only three of nine MLH1(-) colorectal cancers showed expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 compared with 46 of 64 MLH1(+) colorectal cancers (P = 0.05). Only two of seven hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancers expressed laminin-5 gamma 2 compared with MLH1(+) colorectal cancers (P= 0.03). Expression of nuclear beta-catenin was more frequent (58 percent) in MLH1(+) colorectal cancers compared with MLH1(-) colorectal cancers (11 percent, P = 0.01). Methylation of laminin-5 gamma 2 was found in 5 of 38 (13 percent) cases but did not differ among colorectal cancer subsets. Four of five colorectal cancers with methylation of laminin-5 gamma 2 were scored as negative for laminin-5 gamma 2 by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 in colorectal cancers with deficient DNA mismatch repair may underlie a variant of tumor budding that is relatively nonaggressive.

Surgical treatment of liver metastases of colorectal cancer: Strategies and controversies in 2006

AIMS

To review the latest strategies and controversies in the surgical treatment of liver metastases of colorectal cancer systemically and comprehensively.

METHODS

A medline based literature search on relevant topics was performed in PubMed for key articles concerning the novel strategies and controversies in the management of liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Some information was obtained from 'Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol' published recently. The findings and discussions were related to our own experiences.

RESULTS

Although for well-indicated patients, a consensus has been reached that hepatic resection is the only management that could provide the patients curability, there still exist many controversies, such as the prognostic evaluation, contraindications to hepatic resection, treatment for synchronous liver metastases, the place of laparoscopic surgery, etc. Meanwhile, various strategies to improve the respectabilities are available, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, portal vein embolization, two stage hepatectomy, and some locally ablative approaches. The current condition is difficult and sometimes confusing for a relevant surgeon when designing treatment protocols for more complex diseases.

CONCLUSION

As the advancing of the management of liver metastases of colorectal cancer, more patients will become candidates for and benefit from potentially curative surgical resections. Optimal effect could only be achieved when used in a manner tailored to the individual patient.

Diagnostic value of measuring liver volume for detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal or gastric cancer

Some studies have shown reduced portal blood flow in patients with occult hepatic metastases, which may lead to decreased liver volume. A retrospective study was conducted in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal (n = 63) or gastric (n = 52) cancer. The ratio of the preoperative computed tomography (CT)-estimated liver volume to the standard liver volume (CV/SV ratio) was calculated. The mean +/- SD CT-estimated liver volume was 858 +/-109 in 14 patients who subsequently developed hepatic metastases and 1173 +/- 230 ml in 101 patients without metastases (p < 0.0001). The CV/SV ratio was smaller in patients with metachronous hepatic metastases than in those without (0.78 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.02 + 0.13; p < 0.0001). The results suggest that the liver with occult metastases decreases in size before metastases develop that are detectable using conventional imaging techniques. The CV/SV ratio may be of value in detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal and gastric cancer.

Treatment for multiple bilobar liver metastases of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent advances have extended indications for hepatectomy to include multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Staging systems based on the biological malignancy of primary and metastatic tumors provide appropriate indications for hepatectomy in CLM. However, suitability for resection in patients with complex and extensive hepatic metastases is controversial.

METHODS

A medline search was performed to identify papers reporting the resection for CLM. Techniques, indication, and results were reviewed.

RESULTS

If the anticipated remnant liver volume is small (25-40% of total), suggesting a high risk of postoperative liver failure, portal vein embolization (PVE) is recommended prior to hepatectomy. However, curative resections are not always possible. Specifically in synchronous multiple bilobar CLM, two-stage hepatectomy, comprising bilateral hepatectomy and primary resection with or without PVE, can prevent growth of ipsilateral metastatic nodules in the remnant liver and reduce surgical risk. Several local ablation techniques can complement surgery if hepatic resection alone increases the risk of postoperative liver failure or is not curative. Chemotherapy combined with targeted treatment can suppress recurrence and extend indications for hepatectomy by reducing the size and number of primary irresectable tumors.

CONCLUSION

PVE or staged procedure combining with local ablation or neoadjuvant, downstaging or adjuvant therapies extends indications for hepatectomy to include multiple bilobar CLM. The 5-year survival rate for multiple bilobar CLM treated with alternating hepatectomy and chemotherapy is comparable to the values reported for single and hemilateral CLM.

A novel classification of tumour budding in colorectal cancer based on the presence of cytoplasmic pseudo-fragments around budding foci

AIMS

Tumour budding is an adverse prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). We have investigated the significance of cytoplasmic fragments occurring in the immediate vicinity of tumour budding foci.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy-three CRCs with high-grade budding (> 10 budding foci in a x 20 objective field) were classified according to extent of budding (10-19 versus 20+ foci) and by the presence or absence of cytoplasmic fragments identified by immunostaining for cytokeratin. In serial sections, cytoplasmic fragments were shown to be dendritic cell processes in continuity with budding tumour cells and were renamed pseudo-fragments. Cytoplasmic pseudo-fragments, but not extent of budding, were associated with aberrant expression of beta-catenin (P = 0.045) and laminin-5 gamma2 (P < 0.0001), and with absent peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration (P = 0.0077). Cytoplasmic pseudo-fragments had a stronger association with infiltrating growth pattern (P = 0.0014) than extent of tumour budding (P = 0.014). There was no association between extent of budding and cytoplasmic pseudo-fragments (P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Cytoplasmic pseudo-fragments may be a marker for an activated budding phenotype that is associated with cell motility and increased invasiveness in CRC and is independent of the extent of budding.

Analysis of preoperative prognostic factors for long-term survival after hepatic resection of liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma

Hepatic resection is the most effective therapy for liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. To clarify indications for this therapy, the clinicopathologic and follow-up data of 103 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for metastases of colorectal carcinoma were analyzed. Factors influencing overall survival rate were investigated by multivariate analysis. Thereafter, patients who underwent resection were stratified according to the number of independent risk factors present, and their outcomes were compared with those of 14 nonresection patients with fewer than six liver tumors and without extrahepatic metastasis. The overall survival rate of the 103 resection patients was 43.1%. The clinicopathologic factors shown to affect on long-term survival after hepatic resection were the interval between colorectal and hepatic surgery (<12 months), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level (> or =10 ng/ml), and number of hepatic metastases (four or more). The 5-year overall survival rates were 75.0% with no risk factors (n=16), 53.6% with one risk factor (n=46), 23.0% with two risk factors (n=36), and 0% with three risk factors (n=5). Survival rates did not differ between resection patients with three risk factors and nonresection patients. Therefore, hepatic resection may be appropriate for patients with fewer than three risk factors.

Prognostic implication of laminin-5 gamma 2 chain expression in the invasive front of colorectal cancers, disclosed by area-specific four-point tissue microarrays

The laminin-5 gamma 2 chain (LN-5gamma2) is known to be a marker of invasion in several cancer types. Our purpose was to examine the prognostic significance of LN-5gamma2 expression in different areas of individual colorectal cancers (CRCs) by using tissue microarrays (TMAs), and to clarify the optimal areas for prognostic assessment. Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of pT3 primary CRCs resected from 120 patients, we constructed TMA blocks of tissue core specimens taken from the submucosal invasive front, subserosal invasive front, central area, and rolled edge of each tumor. Using these four-point TMA sets, cytoplasmic LN-5gamma2 expression was immunohistochemically surveyed, and the area-specific prognostic significance of LN-5gamma2 expression was evaluated. The data revealed that 35, 30, 15 and 10% of the 120 CRCs showed high-grade LN-5gamma2 expression in the submucosal invasive front, subserosal invasive front, central area and rolled edge, respectively. Disease-specific survival curves for the groups with high- and low-grade LN-5gamma2 in the submucosal invasive front and subserosal invasive front were different significantly or of marginal difference (respective 5-year survival rates: 54 and 78% for submucosal invasive front (P=0.030) and 58 and 75% for subserosal invasive front (P=0.055)). Multivariate analysis revealed that the grades of LN-5gamma2 expression in submucosal invasive front (hazard ratio=2.0, P=0.047) and subserosal invasive front (hazard ratio=2.9, P=0.0033) were independent prognostic factors. In contrast, the grades of LN-5gamma2 expression in the central area and rolled edge did not have a significant impact on patient prognosis. Analysis using area-specific four-point TMAs clearly demonstrated that LN-5gamma2 expression in the invasive front largely influences the degree of clinical aggressiveness of CRC and its tendency to metastasize.

A new prognostic staging system for rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the appropriateness of tumor "budding," a quantifiable histologic variable, as 1 parameter in the construction of a new prognostic grading system for rectal cancer.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Patient division according to an accurate prognostic prediction could enhance the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant therapy and follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tumor budding was defined as an isolated cancer cell or a cluster composed of fewer than 5 cells in the invasive frontal region, and was divided into 2 grades based on its number within a microscopic field of x250. We analyzed 2 discrete cohorts comprising 638 and 476 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery.

RESULTS

In the first cohort, high-grade budding (10 or more foci in a field) was observed in 30% of patients and was significantly associated with a lower 5-year survival rate (41%) than low-grade budding (84%). Similarly, in the second cohort, the 5-year survival rate was 43% in high-grade budding patients and 83% in low-grade budding patients. In both cohorts, multivariate analyses verified budding to be an independent prognosticator, together with nodal involvement and extramural spread. These 3 variables were given weighted scores, and the score range was divided to provide 5 prognostic groups (97%; 86%; 61%; 39%; 17% 5-year survival). The model was tested on the second cohort, and similar prognostic results were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that because of its relevance to prognosis and its reproducibility, budding is an excellent parameter for use in a grading system to provide a confident prediction of clinical outcome.

Pre-hepatectomy prognostic staging to determine treatment strategy for colorectal cancer metastases to the liver

BACKGROUND

Attempts at identifying prognostic factors after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases have not achieved consensus. We investigated prognostic factors ascertainable before hepatectomy for colorectal metastasis.

METHOD

Clinicopathological data for 149 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection of primary lesions and metastatic liver disease at one institution were subjected to multivariate analysis concerning metastatic status and the primary lesion.

RESULTS

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or mucinous carcinoma as the primary tumor (Poor/muc; P=0.026), marked vascular invasion by the primary tumor (V; P=0.002), bi-lobar liver metastases ( P=0.048), and short doubling time (DT) of the liver tumor ( P=0.028) were characteristics assessable before hepatectomy that independently indicated poorer survival. A four-stage classification based on these factors was related to overall ( P<0.01) and disease-free ( P<0.01) survival rates. No pattern of recurrence site was evident in stage I (patients with no risk factor). Recurrence was usually extrahepatic in stage IV (patients with Poor/muc) but favored the remnant liver in stage II (patients with bi-lobar metastases or short DT) or III (patients with V; P=0.037). Stage III showed more multiple and early hepatic recurrences than stage II, and repeat hepatectomy was less frequent ( P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pre-hepatectomy prognostic staging should help to guide treatment of liver metastases.

Histological categorisation of fibrotic cancer stroma in advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Based on conflicting reports regarding the role of the fibrotic stromal response in cancer development--namely, that a desmoplastic reaction can favour either the host or the tumour--it is clear that the role of the stromal response is varied. We have classified the fibrotic stroma of rectal adenocarcinoma penetrating the muscularis propria, based on histologically identified stromal components.

METHODS

Three categories of stroma were used: mature-when the stroma was composed of mature collagen fibres (fine and elongated fibres into multiple layers); intermediate-when keloid-like collagen was intermingled with mature fibres; and immature-consisting of a myxoid stroma in which no mature fibres were included.

RESULTS

In a data set of 862 patients, 53% of patients had mature fibrotic cancer stroma, 33% had intermediate stroma, and 15% had immature stroma. Five year survival rates decreased as follows: mature stroma (80%), intermediate stroma (55%), and immature stroma (27%). The adverse tumour phenotype, tumour cell budding (conspicuous isolated cells or small clusters of cancer cells), was observed in the cancer fronts in tumours with unfavourable fibrotic stroma (p<0.0001). Based on multivariate analysis, categorised fibrotic stroma was selected as an independent prognostic parameter (hazard ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.64) together with tumour differentiation. By immunohistochemical examination, as maturation of the fibrotic stroma decreased, stromal T cells became significantly sparser. Furthermore, myofibroblasts were distributed extensively in immature fibrotic stroma compared with mature and intermediate fibrotic stroma.

CONCLUSION

The morphological categorisation of fibrotic cancer stroma highlights the role of the stromal response in relation to the behaviour and host immune reactions of rectal adenocarcinoma and would be a useful tool for predicting patient prognostic outcome.

Hepatic resection with reconstruction of the inferior vena cava or hepatic venous confluence for metastatic liver tumor from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Resection of colorectal liver metastases infiltrating the inferior vena cava (IVC) or hepatic venous confluence (HVC) is technically feasible, but the procedure frequently involves invasive techniques, and its long-term outcome has not yet been fully described.

STUDY DESIGN

From October 1994 through June 2001, 87 patients underwent first curative hepatic resections for colorectal metastases. Nine patients (the IVC/HVC group) received hepatectomy combined with IVC or HVC reconstruction. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical results, and patient survival were investigated and compared with those of the remaining 78 patients (the comparison group).

RESULTS

Three IVCs and eight hepatic veins were successfully resected and reconstructed by primary closure (n = 3), direct anastomosis (n = 1), or by the use of autologous vein grafts (n = 7). A comparison between the two groups revealed that the primary colorectal tumor stage was similar, but the IVC/HVC group had more (median 4 versus 2, p < 0.05) and larger (median 5.0 versus 3.2 cm, p < 0.05) lesions. The IVC/HVC group required longer operating times (median 600 versus 320 minutes, p < 0.001) and suffered greater blood loss (median 1,034 versus 434 g, p < 0.01) and more extensive liver parenchyma resection (median 585 versus 155 g, p < 0.001). Patients in the IVC/HVC group had a shorter survival time (median survival time 25.8 versus 44.0 months, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic resection combined with the IVC or HVC reconstruction for colorectal liver metastases can be performed with acceptable morbidity, and possibly with no mortality. Although no definite conclusion on long-term survival can be drawn from our study, given the limited number of patients, their overall survival was unsatisfactory. Further studies are needed to clarify the contribution of combined resection and reconstruction of IVC/HVC to long-term survival, because surgical resection currently provides the only hope of cure.

Predictors of extrahepatic recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases

Background

It is important to identify patients at high risk of extrahepatic recurrence after surgery for liver metastases, in order to maximize the survival benefit obtained by prophylactic regional chemotherapy.

Methods

Data from 68 patients who underwent resection of colorectal liver metastases but who did not receive hepatic arterial chemotherapy or intravenous systemic chemotherapy were collected. Twenty-two variables were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses to determine which factors were relevant to extrahepatic recurrence. A scoring system was developed that included the most relevant factors.

Results

The extrahepatic recurrence rate at 3 years after hepatectomy was 57·8 per cent. Three variables were independently associated with extrahepatic recurrence including raised serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen after hepatectomy (relative risk (RR) 5·4, P &lt; 0·001), venous invasion of the primary tumour (RR 4·0, P = 0·001) and high-grade budding of the primary tumour (RR 3·1, P = 0·006). Patients with none of these risk factors had a 3-year extrahepatic recurrence rate of 7·1 per cent, compared with 61·6 per cent for those with one risk factor and 100 per cent for those with two or three risk factors.

Conclusion

It was possible to identify patients at high risk of disease relapse at extrahepatic sites. This system might be used on an individual basis to select patients with colorectal liver metastases for regional chemotherapy or systemic chemotherapy after surgical intervention.

Hepatitis viral status affects the pattern of intrahepatic recurrence after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

To define whether the patterns of intrahepatic recurrence after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma differ according to hepatitis viral status.

METHODS

One hundred and eleven patients undergoing a curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into three groups: the C-viral group (n=55), which tested positive for hepatitis C antibody; the B-viral group (n=32), which tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen; and the non-B non-C (NBNC) group (n=24), which tested negative for both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody. The long-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The pattern of development of intrahepatic recurrence differed between the NBNC group and the other groups: the cumulative probability of intrahepatic recurrence reached a plateau at 2.4 years after resection in the NBNC group, while it continued to increase steadily in the hepatitis viral groups. The C-viral group showed a higher incidence of intrahepatic recurrence than the other groups by univariate (P=0.0306) and multivariate (relative risk=1.69, P=0.0429) analyses. Multiple intrahepatic recurrent lesions were more common in the C-viral group (P=0.0457).

CONCLUSIONS

Multicentric carcinogenesis in the remnant liver was less common in the NBNC group than in hepatitis viral groups. Hepatitis C virus infection is a significant risk factor for intrahepatic recurrence after resection and is also associated with multiple intrahepatic recurrent lesions.

Patterns of failure following curative resection of colorectal liver metastases

AIMS

Several studies have focused on factors determining recurrence and survival rate after curative resection of colorectal liver metastases (LM). Data are lacking with regard to patterns of failure indicating where and when recurrences arise.

METHODS

One-hundred-and-five consecutive patients [F/M: 31/74; mean age 61 years (range 36-80 y)] with primary colorectal liver metastases underwent surgical R0 curative resection between 1990-1999. Patient follow-up was closed in January 2002. The common closing date method was used for survival analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed with the Cox proportional hazard technique.

RESULTS

The overall (OS) vs disease free survival (DFS) rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were 88.5 vs 63.3, 73.4 vs 40.2, and 36.8 vs 18.1%, respectively. Elevated serum CEA level was the only factor independently related to recurrent disease. Elevated serum CEA level, maximum diameter of liver metastases (LM), and satellitosis were factors significantly related to poor OS. Recurrent liver metastases developed in 43% and extra-hepatic metastases in 60% of the patients. In about half of the patients cancer recurrence was observed within 18 months, almost equally distributed between hepatic and extra-hepatic sites.

CONCLUSION

Despite optimal patient selection and curative resection of colorectal liver metastases, more than a half of the patients developed cancer recurrence within 2 years.