Determinants of short- and long-term outcome in patients undergoing simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastases

The Impact of Postoperative Complications on Survival after Simultaneous Resection of Colorectal Cancer and Liver Metastases

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of postoperative complications on the long-term outcomes of patients who had undergone simultaneous resection (SR) of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (SCLMs). Methods: We conducted a single-institution survival cohort study in patients with SR, collecting clinical, pathological, and postoperative complication data. The impact of these variables on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was compared by log rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified independent prognostic factors. Results: Out of 243 patients, 122 (50.2%) developed postoperative complications: 54 (22.2%) major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade III–V), 86 (35.3%) septic complications, 59 (24.2%) hepatic complications. Median comprehensive complication index (CCI) was 8.70. Twelve (4.9%) patients died postoperatively. The 3- and 5-year OS and DFS rates were 60.7%, 39.5% and 28%, 21.5%, respectively. Neither overall postoperative complications nor major and septic complications or CCI had a significant impact on OS or DFS. Multivariate analysis identified the N2 stage as an independent prognostic of poor OS, while N2 stage and four or more SCLMs were independent predictors for poor DFS. Conclusion: N2 stage and four or more SCLMs impacted OS and/or DFS, while CCI, presence, type, or grade of postoperative complications had no significant impact on long-term outcomes.

Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of colorectal liver metastases (version 2018)

The liver is the most common anatomical site for hematogenous metastases of colorectal cancer, and colorectal liver metastases is one of the most difficult and challenging points in the treatment of colorectal cancer. To improve the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment in China, the Guidelines have been edited and revised several times since 2008, including the overall evaluation, personalized treatment goals and comprehensive treatments, to prevent the occurrence of liver metastases, improve the resection rate of liver metastases and survival. The revised Guideline includes the diagnosis and follow-up, prevention, MDT effect, surgery and local ablative treatment, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, and comprehensive treatment, and with advanced experience, latest results, detailed content, and strong operability.

Elective Surgery After Endoscopic Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Placement for Patients With Obstructive Colon Cancer: Preoperative Systemic Evaluation and Management

One-stage curative surgical resection for obstructive colon cancer is challenging. Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are known as an alternative treatment used to avoid emergency operation. We aimed to evaluate the significance of SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery and the surgical outcomes of the elective operation. A consecutive 20 patients with obstructive colon cancer undergoing SEMS placement between June 2014 and February 2016 were included. The technical outcomes of the SEMS placement, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. Among them, 2 patients were treated with a SEMS palliatively, and the others were treated with a SEMS as a bridge to surgery. All SEMS were placed successfully at the first attempt, and there was no SEMS-related complication. Before surgery, all patients could be diagnosed histologically, and they were evaluated systemically including proximal colon or distant metastasis. The median time to operation after SEMS placement was 14 days (range 9–20 days). Seven of the 18 patients underwent a laparoscopic colectomy without conversion to laparotomy. All patients with stage II or III colon cancer underwent curative surgery, and 2 patients with stage IV colon cancer underwent a one-stage resection of the primary colon cancer and simultaneous liver metastasis after the evaluation of hepatic functional reserve. There was no mortality or SEMS-related complication in the perioperative period. SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery for patients with obstructive colon cancer is safe and effective to provide an adequate amount of time for a preoperative systemic management and evaluation.

A NSQIP Review of Major Morbidity and Mortality of Synchronous Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastasis Stratified by Extent of Liver Resection and Type of Colorectal Resection

INTRODUCTION

Safety of synchronous hepatectomy and colorectal resection (CRR) for metastatic colorectal cancer remains controversial. We hypothesized that both the extent of hepatectomy and CRR influences postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Prospective 2005-2013 ACS-NSQIP data were retrospectively reviewed for mortality and major morbidity (MM) after (1) isolated hepatectomy, (2) isolated CRR, and (3) synchronous resection for colorectal cancer. Hepatectomy and CRR risk categories were created based on mortality and MM of respective isolated resections. The synchronous cohort was then stratified based on risk categories. Cumulative asynchronous mortality and MM were estimated compared to that observed in the synchronous cohort via unadjusted relative risk and risk difference.

RESULTS

There were 43,408 patients identified. Among isolated hepatectomy patients (N = 6,661), trisectionectomy and right hepatectomy experienced the greatest mortality and were defined as "major" hepatectomy. Among isolated CRR patients (N = 35,825), diverted left colectomy, abdominoperineal resection, total abdominal colectomy, and total abdominal proctocolectomy experienced the greatest MM and were defined as "high risk" CRR. Synchronous patients (N = 922) were stratified by hepatectomy and CRR risk categories; mortality and MM varied from 0.9 to 5.0 % and 25.5 to 55.0 %, respectively. Mortality and MM were greatest for patients undergoing "high risk" CRR and "major" hepatectomy and lowest for synchronous CRR and "minor" hepatectomy. As both CRR and hepatectomy risk categories increased, there was a significant trend in increasing mortality and MM in synchronous patients. Additionally, comparison of the synchronous resections versus the estimated cumulative asynchronous outcomes showed that (1) mortality was significantly less after synchronous minor hepatectomy and either low or high risk CRR, and (2) neither mortality nor major morbidity differed significantly after major hepatectomy with either high or low risk CRR.

CONCLUSION

Major morbidity after synchronous hepatic and colorectal resections vary incrementally and are related to both the risk of hepatectomy and CRR. Stratification of outcomes by the hepatectomy and CRR components may reflect a more accurate description of risks. Comparison of synchronous and combined outcomes of individual operations supports a potential benefit for synchronous resections with minor hepatectomy.

Prognosis according to histochemical analysis of liver metastases removed at liver resection

BACKGROUND

Liver metastases occur in 40-50 per cent of patients with colorectal cancer and determine long-term survival. The aim of this study was to examine the immunological architecture of colorectal liver metastases and its impact on patient survival.

METHODS

Specimens from patients with colorectal liver metastases were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome, immunostained for α-smooth muscle actin, CD4, CD45RO and CD8, and analysed by flow cytometry. In addition to histomorphological evaluation, immunohistochemically stained sections were analysed for cell numbers in the tumour area, infiltrative margin and distant liver stroma separately. These findings were correlated with clinical data and patient outcome.

RESULTS

Tumour containment by a fibrotic capsule around liver metastases was observed in 37·8 per cent of 201 patients and was prognostic for improved survival (median (s.e.) survival 64 (6) and 31 (4) months for patients with capsule and no capsule respectively; P < 0·001) and independently led to higher R0 resection rates (P = 0·040). In multivariable analysis, CD45RO(+) cell infiltration at the peritumoral margin with low CD45RO(+) cell infiltration in the distant liver stroma (P = 0·001) and fibrotic capsule formation (P = 0·008) both independently prolonged patient survival. Using these two factors, a cellular immune score was designed and shown to stratify patient survival in test and validation samples (both P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

Fibrotic capsule formation and localized cell infiltration of colorectal liver metastases by CD45RO(+) cells were related to prolonged patient survival. Based on these immunological criteria a cellular immune score was developed to stratify patients according to prognosis.

Systematic review of surgical management of synchronous colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases has not yet been elucidated. The aim of the present study was systematically to review current evidence concerning the timing and sequence of surgical interventions: colon first, liver first or simultaneous.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed of clinical studies comparing the timing and sequence of surgical interventions in patients with synchronous liver metastases. Retrospective studies were included but case reports and small case series were excluded. Preoperative and intraoperative data, length of hospital stay, perioperative mortality and morbidity, and 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were compared. The studies were evaluated according to a modification of the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria.

RESULTS

Eighteen papers were included and 21 entries analysed. Five entries favoured the simultaneous approach regarding duration of procedure, whereas three showed no difference; five entries favoured simultaneous treatment in terms of blood loss, whereas in four there was no difference; and all studies comparing length of hospital stay favoured the simultaneous approach. Five studies favoured the simultaneous approach in terms of morbidity and eight found no difference, and no study demonstrated a difference in perioperative mortality. One study suggested a better 5-year survival rate after staged procedures, and another suggested worse 1-year but better 3- and 5-year survival rates following the simultaneous approach. The median MINORS score was 10, with incomplete follow-up and outcome reporting accounting primarily for low scores.

CONCLUSION

None of the three surgical strategies for synchronous colorectal liver metastases appeared inferior to the others.

Host response in tumor diagnosis and prognosis: importance of immunologists and pathologists alliance

Pathologists and immunologists have collaborated over many years in their efforts to understand and properly diagnose cancer. The ability of pathologists to correctly diagnose this disease was facilitated by the development of immunohistology that utilized specificity of antibodies to distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells. Further boost was provided through the advent of monoclonal antibodies. The two disciplines are now together on the brink of a paradigm shift resulting from a better understanding of the importance for cancer diagnosis and prognosis to consider not only the characteristics of the cancer cells, but also the cancer microenvironment reflecting the host response to the disease. This new immunology and pathology alliance named "Immunoscore" will advance research in both disciplines as well as benefit patients.