Influence of age on resection of colorectal liver metastases

Multidisciplinary discussion and management of synchronous colorectal liver metastases: A single center study in China

BACKGROUND

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) has been carried out in many large hospitals now. However, given the costs of time and money and with little strong evidence of MDT effectiveness being reported, critiques of MDTs persist.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of MDTs on patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases and share our opinion on management of synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

METHODS

In this study we collected clinical data of patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases from February 2014 to February 2017 in the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital and subsequently divided them into an MDT+ group and an MDT- group. In total, 93 patients in MDT+ group and 169 patients in MDT- group were included totally.

RESULTS

Statistical increases in the rate of chest computed tomography examination (P = 0.001), abdomen magnetic resonance imaging examination (P = 0.000), and preoperative image staging (P = 0.0000) were observed in patients in MDT+ group. Additionally, the proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy (P = 0.019) and curative resection (P = 0.042) was also higher in MDT+ group. Multivariable analysis showed that the population of patients assessed by MDT meetings had higher 1-year [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.608, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.398-0.931, P = 0.022] and 5-year (HR = 0.694, 95%CI: 0.515-0.937, P = 0.017) overall survival.

CONCLUSION

These results proved that MDT management did bring patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases more opportunities for comprehensive examination and treatment, resulting in better outcomes.

Prognostic factors of survival and a new scoring system for liver resection of colorectal liver metastasis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection has become the preferred treatment of choice for colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) patients.

AIM

To identify the prognostic factors and to formulate a new scoring system for management of CLM.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic and long-term survival data were analyzed to identify the significant predictors of survival by univariate and multivariate analyses with the Cox model. A clinical score was constructed based on the analysis results.

RESULTS

Three factors of worse overall survival were identified in the multivariate analysis. They were number of liver metastases ≥ 5, size of the largest liver lesion ≥ 4 cm, and the presence of nodal metastasis from the primary tumor. These three factors were chosen as criteria for a clinical risk score for overall survival. The clinical score highly correlated with median overall survival and 5-year survival (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Priority over surgical resection should be given to the lowest score groups, and alternative oncological treatment should be considered in patients with the highest score.

Effect of tumour size ratio on liver recurrence-free survival of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases

Background

The study aimed to assess the impact of size differences of multiple liver metastases on liver recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs).

Methods

Overall, 147 patients with CRLMs who underwent hepatic resection between January 2010 and December 2016 were retrospectively analysed. Tumour size ratio (TSR) was defined as the maximum diameter of the largest liver lesion over the maximum diameter of the smallest liver lesion. The univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic risk factors. The prognostic value of the TSR was further explored in each Tumour Burden Score (TBS) zone. Log-rank survival analyses were used to compare liver RFS in the new clinical score and the Fong clinical score.

Results

Based on the TSR, patients were classified into three groups: TSR < 2, 2 ≤ TSR < 4, and TSR ≥ 4. According to the multivariate analysis, TSR of 2–4 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.580; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.543–4.312; P < 0.001) and TSR < 2 (HR, 4.435; 95% CI 2.499–7.872; P < 0.001) were associated with worse liver RFS. As TSR decreased, liver RFS worsened. TSR could further stratify patients in zones 1 and 2 into different risk groups according to the TBS criteria (zone 1: median liver RFS, 3.2 and 8.9 months for groups 1 and 2, respectively, P = 0.003; zone 2: median liver RFS, 3.5, 5.0, and 10.9 months for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P < 0.05). The predictive ability of the new clinical score, which includes TSR, was superior to that of the Fong clinical score.

Conclusions

TSR, as a prognostic tool, could accurately assess the effect of size differences across multiple liver metastases on liver RFS in patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRLMs.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered

Systematic Review of Treatments for Colorectal Metastases in Elderly Patients to Guide Surveillance Cessation Following Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND

Although included in surveillance programmes for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases, elderly patients are susceptible to declines in health and quality of life that may render them unsuitable for further surveillance. Deciding when to cease surveillance is challenging.

METHODS

There are no publications focused on surveillance of elderly patients for CRC metastases. A systematic review of studies reporting treatment outcomes for CRC metastases in elderly patients was performed to assess the risk-benefit balance of the key objectives of surveillance; detecting and treating CRC metastases.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight eligible studies reported outcomes for surgery and chemotherapy in the elderly. Liver resections and use of chemotherapy, including biologics, are more conservative and have poorer outcomes in the elderly compared with younger patients. Selected studies demonstrated poorer quality-of-life (QoL) following surgery and chemotherapy. Studies of ablation in elderly patients are limited.

DISCUSSION

The survival benefit of treating CRC metastases with surgery or chemotherapy decreases with advancing age and QoL may decline in the elderly. The relatively lower efficacy and detrimental QoL impact of multimodal therapy options for detected CRC metastases in the elderly questions the benefit of surveillance in some elderly patients. Care of elderly patients should thus be customized based on their preference, formal geriatric assessment, natural life-expectancy, and the perceived risk-benefit balance of treating recurrent CRC metastases. Clinicians may consider surveillance cessation in patients aged 75 years and above if geriatric assessment is unsatisfactory, patients decline surveillance, or patient fitness deteriorates catastrophically.

Postoperative liver regeneration does not elicit recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastases after major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recurrence is a frequent concern in curatively resected CRC liver metastases. Translational research suggests that regeneration upon hepatectomy may also alleviate metastatic recurrence; however, the significance in patients is unclear. We therefore sought to study the effect of liver regeneration on tumor recurrence in patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we included 58 out of 186 potentially eligible patients from our prospectively maintained database of CRC liver metastasis patients between 2001 and 2012 with a median follow-up of 42 months who underwent a formal right or left hemihepatectomy. Liver regeneration in CT volumetry was correlated with recurrence of CRC liver metastases and overall survival.

RESULTS

Liver regeneration increased up to 14 months to 21.0% for left and 122.6% for right hemihepatectomy, respectively, with comparable final volumes. Regeneration was independent of initial tumor stage, number of metastases, and preoperative chemotherapy. Patients with lower liver regeneration showed earlier recurrence of CRC liver metastases (p = 0.006). Overall survival did not differ in patients with weak versus strong liver regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of liver regeneration after major hepatectomy does not impede overall survival. Therefore, our data encourage aggressive therapeutical regimes for CRC liver metastases involving major hepatectomies as part of a curative approach.

Multidisciplinary treatment for colorectal liver metastases in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Limited data describe the therapeutic practice and outcomes of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) in elderly patients. We aimed to evaluate the impact of age on multidisciplinary treatment for CRLMs.

METHODS

We reviewed treatment and outcomes for patients in different age groups who underwent initial hepatectomy for CRLMs from 2004 through 2012.

RESULTS

We studied 462 patients who were divided into three groups by age: ≤ 64 years (n = 265), 65-74 years (n = 151), and ≥ 75 years (n = 46). The rate of major hepatectomy and incidence of postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Adjuvant chemotherapy was used less in the ≥ 75-year group (19.6%) than that in the ≤ 64 (54.3%) or 65-74 age group (43.5%). Repeat hepatectomy for liver recurrence was performed less in the ≥ 75-year group (35%) than in the ≤ 64 (57%) or 65-74 (66%) age group. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate of 44.2% in the ≥ 75-year group was lower than in the ≤ 64 (59.0%) or 65-74 (64.7%) age group. Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥ 75 years was an independent predictor of poor DSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver resection for CRLMs can be performed safely in elderly patients. However, repeat resection for recurrence are performed less frequently in the elderly, which may lead to the poorer disease-specific prognosis.

Age- and Gender-Related Characteristics of Corneal Refractive Parameters in a Large Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To characterize age- and sex-related changes in corneal refractive parameters in myopic and hyperopic patients undergoing refractive surgery.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Analysis of demographic and refractive parameters of myopic and hyperopic patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) between January 2000 and December 2014 at the Care-Vision Laser Centers, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

RESULTS

A total of 62,422 eyes of 31,211 patients were included. With advancing age, refractive surgery was performed for lower magnitudes of myopia and hyperopia. The magnitude of cylinder was higher in men than in women in both myopic and hyperopic patients. In comparison, women were significantly more myopic than men (spherical equivalent of -3.73 diopter [D] versus -4.07 D; P < 0.01). The myopic group sphere (r = 0.044; P < 0.001) had a positive correlation with age, whereas other parameters had a negative correlation with age: astigmatism (r = -0.09; P < 0.001), best-correct visual acuity (BCVA) (r = -0.04; P < 0.001), flat K (r = -0.09; P < 0.001), steep K (r = -0.06; P < 0.001), average K (r = -0.07; P < 0.001), and J0 (r = -0.05; P < 0.001). For hyperopic patients, astigmatism (r = 0.35; P < 0.001), BCVA (r = 0.11; P < 0.001), flat K (r = 0.30; P < 0.001), average K (0.14; P < 0.001), and central corneal thickness (r = 0.10; P < 0.001) correlated positively with age, whereas sphere (r = -0.23; P < 0.001), J0 (r = -0.31; P < 0.001), and overall blurring strength (r = -0.31; P < 0.001) had negative correlations with age.

CONCLUSIONS

This large cohort study shows age- and sex-related refractive parameters among myopic and hyperopic patients seeking refractive surgery. These parameters can explain and predict trends in patients attending refractive surgery.

High hepatic expression of PDK4 improves survival upon multimodal treatment of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Patients with borderline resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) frequently receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) to reduce tumour burden, thus making surgical resection feasible. Even though NC can induce severe liver injury, most studies investigating tissue-based prognostic markers focus on tumour tissue. Here, we assessed the prognostic significance of pyruvate-dehydrogenase-kinase isoenzyme 4 (PDK4) within liver tissue of patients undergoing surgical resection due to CRLM.

METHODS

Transcript levels of hypoxia-adaptive genes (such as PDK isoenzymes) were assessed in the tissue of healthy liver, corresponding CRLM, healthy colon mucosa and corresponding tumour. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. Responses to chemotherapy upon up- or down-regulation of PDK4 were studied in vitro.

RESULTS

PDK4 expression within healthy liver tissue was associated with increased overall survival and liver function following surgical resection of CRLM. This association was enhanced in patients with NC. PDK4 expression in CRLM tissue did not correlate with overall survival. Up-regulation of PDK4 increased the resistance of hepatocytes and colon cancer cells against chemotherapy-induced toxicity, whereas knockdown of PDK4 enhanced chemotherapy-associated cell damage.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that up-regulated PDK4 expression reduces hepatic chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress and is associated with improved postoperative liver function in patients undergoing multimodal treatment and resection of CRLM.

Developing and validating a preoperative risk score to predict 90-day mortality after liver resection

BACKGROUND

Hepatobiliary surgeons continue to expand the pool of patients undergoing liver resection using combinations of surgical and interventional procedures with chemotherapy. Improved perioperative care allows for operation on higher risk surgical patients. Postoperative outcomes, including 90-day mortality that improved over the past decade but still varies across cohorts. This study developed a preoperative risk score, on the basis significant clinical and laboratory variables, to predict 90-day mortality after hepatectomy.

METHODS

All patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2011 and 2016 were included. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of postoperative mortality and a risk score was derived and validated.

RESULTS

The overall 90-day mortality rate in the derivation cohort (n = 1269 patients) was 4.0% (N = 51). Increasing patient age (P < 0.001), extent of resection (P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006), and low preoperative sodium (P = 0.012) were predictors of the increased 90-day mortality in the multivariable analysis. The risk model developed based on these factors had an AUROC of 0.778 (P < 0.001) and remained significant in a validation cohort of 788 patients (AUROC: 0.703, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The proposed preoperative risk score to predict 90-day mortality after liver resection could be useful for appropriate counseling, optimization, and risk-adjusted assessment of surgical outcomes.

Prognostic indicators lose their value with repeated resection of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

The liver is the most common site of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and surgical resection improves overall survival in selected patients. Here, we investigate outcomes and relevant prognostic factors after repeated hepatic resections for CRLM.

METHODS

From a prospective database, 578 patients who underwent 788 resections of colorectal liver metastases were included into this study. In total, 169 patients underwent a second and 41 patients had a third operation due to intrahepatic metastatic recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prognostic risk factors.

RESULTS

5-year overall survival was 36.7% (95% CI: 30.2%; 43.2%) and 10-year survival was 20.3% (95% CI: 7.6%; 33.0%) in patients undergoing single resection. In patients undergoing a second or third resection, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 56.6% (95% CI: 45.0%; 68.2%) and 21.9% (95% CI: 6.8%; 37.0%) or 53.2% (95% CI: 32.4%; 74.0%) and 25.4%, respectively. In patients undergoing single resection, established markers (number, size and pattern of CRLM [p = 0.030/0.015/<0.001], R-status [p = 0.001], surgical/medical complications [p = 0.001/0.008], CEA-level [p = 0.001] and Fong-Score [p = 0.02]) were significantly associated with survival. In patients undergoing three resections, the only predictive markers were pT-stage of the primary tumor in univariate analysis (p = 0.013) and metachronous metastasis and medical complications in multivariate analysis (p = 0.001/0.025). The Fong-Score had no predictive value in patients undergoing two (p = 0.08) or three (p = 0.7) resections.

CONCLUSION

Established prognostic indicators are not applicable in patients undergoing repeated CRLM resection. In a highly-selected group of patients, repeated hepatic resections can be performed safely with favorable long-term outcomes.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in elderly patients.

METHODS

A PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library search was performed from January 1995 to April 2017, for studies comparing both short- and long-term outcomes in younger and elderly patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM.

RESULTS

Eleven studies comparing patients aged <70 years with patients aged >70 years and 4 studies comparing patients aged <75 years with patients aged >75 years were included. Postoperative morbidity was similar in patients aged >70 years (27 vs. 30%; p = 0.35) but higher in patients aged >75 years (21 vs. 32%; p = 0.001). Postoperative mortality was higher in both patients aged >70 years (2 vs. 4%; p = 0.01) and in patients aged >75 years (1 vs. 6%; p = 0.02). Mean 5-year overall survival was lower in patients aged >70 years (40 vs. 32%; p < 0.001) but equal in patients aged >75 years (42 vs. 32%; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Although postoperative morbidity and mortality were increased with higher age, liver resection for CRLM seems justified in selected elderly patients.

Influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on resection of primary colorectal liver metastases: A propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is ongoing debate about whether patients planned for liver resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC). Therefore, we performed a retrospective survival analysis of patients with and without NC prior to surgery.

METHODS

Data prospectively collected from 468 consecutive patients were analyzed in a retrospective design. We performed a survival analysis and added propensity score matching (PSM). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic risk factors.

RESULTS

NC was performed in 145/468 patients. NC did not have a significant influence on overall survival (OS) either before or after PSM. Patients receiving NC showed increased complication rates, especially concerning non-surgical complications after primary resection (P = 0.025) of CRLM. Multivariate analysis before and after PSM revealed that the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) score and CEA values are strong predictors for OS in patients with CRLM.

CONCLUSIONS

NC was not associated with increased OS in patients suffering from CRLM. Additionally, potentially harmful chemotherapy prior to surgery increases the risk of postoperative complications in these patients.

The Impact of Advancing Age on Recurrence and Survival Following Major Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases

INTRODUCTION

This study analysed the effect of age on survival in patients undergoing major hepatectomy (MH) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with age was also assessed.

METHOD

Patients undergoing MH for CRLM between 1996 and 2011 were reviewed. Patients aged <75 or ≥75 were compared for disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) as well as impact of AC on survival.

RESULTS

Seven hundred twenty-seven patients underwent MH of which 105 (14 %) were aged ≥75. Morbidity was greater in the ≥75 group (25 versus 34 %, p = 0.048). No difference was noted in mortality. There was no difference in DFS between the two groups at 5 years (16.8 vs 18.9 months (p = 0.570). OS was longer in the <75 group (38.6 vs 32.0 months (p = 0.001). DFS was better in groups receiving AC than those not (<75 24.2 vs 12.2 months (p = <0.001) and ≥75 24 vs 12.1 months (p = 0.007)). OS in the ≥75 group was improved in the group receiving AC compared to the ≥75 group not (41.1 vs 16.6 months, p = 0.005). Age ≥75 was not an independent risk factor for reduced DFS on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Well-selected patients aged ≥75 should be considered for MH followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Surgery of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer: Does age matter?

INTRODUCTION

In the past, elderly patients with upper GI cancers were excluded from surgery or multimodal treatment only due to their advanced age. In an aging society this way of patient selection seems to be questionable. The aim of this retrospective exploratory study was to investigate how patients with upper GI cancer over the age of 70 years differ from younger patients in the postoperative course and which parameters influence overall survival in older patient populations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2002 to 2012 1,005 patients underwent resection of esophageal or gastric cancer at the University of Heidelberg. 272 patients were older than 70 years and analyzed in subgroups (70-74 years: n = 146; 75-79 years: n = 82; 80 years or older: n = 44). Patients older than 70 years were compared to patients under 70 years (n = 733) with focus on differences in patients characteristics and outcome. Statistical analyses were made retrospectively on a prospective database.

RESULTS

Fewer older patients were treated neoadjuvantly (< 70 years: 41.5%; > 70 years: 24.7%, P < 0.001) and extended resection (abdominothoracic approach) was applied less frequently compared to patients under 70 years (< 70 years: 38.9%; > 70 years: 19.9%, P < 0.001). The pNM-category (HR 1.41/2.56) and R-status (HR 1.78) remain the most important predictive factor for survival (all < 0.001). Female patients had a longer survival than men over the age of 70 (84.9 vs. 23.5 months, P < 0.01). Patients over 80 years had a significant shortened overall survival (> 80 years: 16.7 vs. < 70 years: 37.4 months) compared to the other subgroups (P < 0.001) and a significant increased in-hospital mortality (> 80 years: 20.5% vs. < 70 years: 6.0%, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

An exclusion from surgical therapy due to advanced age in general seems not to be justified. However, the decision for a surgical resection in patients over 80 years should be made with caution. pNM-categories and R0-resection remain the most important predictive factors for overall survival in all subgroups. No survival benefit for neoadjuvant treatment in patients over 70 years was found, while women survived longer than men. However, the decision concerning a (radio) chemotherapy should be made individually in each patient.