Patterns of failure after surgical cure of large liver tumors. A change in the proximate cause of death and a need for effective systemic adjuvant therapy

Feasibility of Intraportal Chemotherapy with Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid Immediately after Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Metastases

Background

About 50% of recurrence after resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer remain confined to the liver. Adjuvant locoregional treatments could reduce the failure rate, but these treatments have been scantily investigated. Experimental models have shown that both intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) and intraportal chemotherapy (IPC) in adjuvant setting were able to reduce metastatic growth, but IPC should be initiated in the immediate postoperative period.

Aims

To evaluate the feasibility of immediate postoperative IPC of fluorouracil (5-FU) plus folinic acid (FA) in a consecutive series of patients undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods

Forty-three consecutive patients underwent hepatic resection. The first 25 (Control Group = CG) received only surgery; the latter 18 (Treated Group = TG) were candidate to postoperative IPC of 5-FU 750 mg/m2 plus FA 20 mg/m2/day continuous infusion for 8 days. One patient was not treated owing to bleeding, thus only 17 received the treatment.

Results

Postoperative morbidity was 14%, equally distributed in both groups. Biochemical hepatic parameters of TG were not statistically different from those of CG. Five patients (29%) developed systemic toxicity: one hematologic grade 4; 3 mucositis grade 3 and one allergic erythema. Three of these patients had been treated by systemic chemotherapy less than one year before.

Discussion

IPC of 5-FU plus FA in the immediate postoperative period has not yet been tested. The schedule we have investigated neither affected the postoperative outcome, nor influenced hepatic function and regeneration. Systemic toxicity was evident and severe mainly in patients already pretreated by systemic chemotherapy. In these patients, however, toxicity did not affect further outcome. This study confirms the feasibility of immediate intraportal chemotherapy after hepatic resection.

Factors influencing recurrence following initial hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Data on recurrence patterns following hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) and their impact on long-term outcomes are limited in the setting of modern multimodal management. This study sought to characterize the patterns of, factors associated with, and survival impact of recurrence following initial hepatectomy for CRLMs.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing initial hepatectomy for CRLMs at 39 institutions (2006-2013) was conducted. Kaplan-Meier methods were used for survival analyses. Overall survival landmark analysis at 12 months after hepatectomy was performed to compare groups based on recurrence. Multivariable Cox and regression models were used to determine factors associated with recurrence.

RESULTS

Among 2320 patients, tumours recurred in 47·4 per cent at median of 10·1 (range 0-88) months; 89·1 per cent of recurrences developed within 3 years. Recurrence was intrahepatic in 46·2 per cent, extrahepatic in 31·8 per cent and combined intra/extrahepatic in 22·0 per cent. The 5-year overall survival rate decreased from 74·3 (95 per cent c.i. 72·2 to 76·4) per cent without recurrence to 57·5 (55·0 to 60·0) per cent with recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3·08, 95 per cent c.i. 2·31 to 4·09). After adjusting for clinicopathological variables, prehepatectomy factors associated with increased risk of recurrence were node-positive primary tumour (HR 1·27, 1·09 to 1·49), more than three liver metastases (HR 1·27, 1·06 to 1·52) and largest metastasis greater than 4 cm (HR 1·19; 1·01 to 1·43).

CONCLUSION

Recurrence after CRLM resection remains common. Although overall survival is inferior with recurrence, excellent survival rates can still be achieved.

Prognostic significance of the decreased rate of perioperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level in the patients with colon cancer after a curative resection

Purpose

The serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a clinical prognostic factor in the follow-up evaluation of patients with colon cancer. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the rate of decrease of the perioperative serum CEA level in patients with colon cancer after a curative resection.

Methods

A total of 605 patients who underwent a curative resection for colon cancer between January 2000 and December 2007 were enrolled retrospectively. The rate of decrease was calculated using the following equation: ([preoperative CEA - postoperative CEA]/[preoperative CEA] ×100).

Results

In the group with a preoperative serum CEA level of >5 ng/mL, the normalized group with a postoperative serum CEA level of ≤5 ng/mL showed a better overall survival (OS) rate and disease-free survival (DFS) rate than those of the non-normalized group (P ≤ 0.0001). The "cutoff values" of the rate of decrease in the perioperative serum CEA that determined the OS and the DFS were 48.9% and 50.8%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis of preoperative serum CEA levels >5 ng/mL, the prognostic factors for the OS and the DFS were the cutoff value (P < 0.0001) and the pN stage (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

A rate of decrease of more than 50% in the perioperative serum CEA level, as well as the normalization of the postoperative serum CEA level, may be useful factors for determining a prognosis for colon cancer patients with high preoperative CEA levels.

The prognostic significant of percentage drop in serum CEA post curative resection for colon cancer

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze the hypothesis that increased percentage drop in serum CEA post curative resection for colon cancer is associated with improved survival.

METHODS

Five hundred thirty three patients who underwent colon resection with a curative intent were retrospectively analyzed for their pre- and postoperative CEA levels. The disease-free and overall survival curves were calculated using Kaplan Meier analysis to evaluate cancer related outcomes. For multivariate analysis, the Cox regression model was used.

RESULTS

The estimated 5-year overall survival for the preoperative serum CEA > 5 ng/mL group with respect to a postoperative CEA level drop rate of 40%, 50% and 60% were 72.9%, 80.9% and 81.8%, respectively. The estimated 5-year overall survival for the preoperative serum CEA ≤ 5 ng/mL group with respect to each postoperative CEA level drop rate were 86.6%, 97.1% and 97.7%, respectively (P = 0.257, P = 0.092 and P = 0.073, respectively). The prognostic factors for poor survival were the depth of invasion (p = 0.042, hazard ratio: 2.617, 95% CI = 1.021-3.012) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.008, hazard ratio: 2.249, 95% CI = 1.231-4.111). A 60% drop of the CEA level was an independent prognostic factor for survival (p = 0.001, hazard ratio: 2.954, 95% CI = 1.686-5.176) for patients with a preoperative CEA level > 5 ng/mL.

CONCLUSION

Determining the preoperative CEA level and the early postoperative percent drop of the serum CEA level may be a helpful factor for the prognosis of colon cancer patients. However, the percent drop from the pre to postoperative CEA level from the normal range was not associated with survival difference.

Rates and patterns of recurrence following curative intent surgery for colorectal liver metastasis: an international multi-institutional analysis of 1669 patients

OBJECTIVE(S)

To investigate rates and patterns of recurrence in patients following curative intent surgery for colorectal liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND

Outcomes following surgical management of colorectal liver metastasis have largely focused on overall survival. Contemporary data on rates and patterns of recurrence following surgery for colorectal liver metastasis are limited.

METHODS

One thousand six hundred sixty-nine patients treated with surgery (resection +/- radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) for colorectal liver metastasis between 1982 and 2008 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Clinicopathologic data, recurrence patterns, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the time of the initial liver-directed surgery, surgical treatment was resection only (90.2%), resection plus RFA (8.0%), or RFA alone (1.8%). While 5-year overall survival was 47.3%, 947 (56.7%) patients recurred with a median RFS time of 16.3 months. First recurrence site was intrahepatic only (43.2%), extrahepatic only (35.8%), intra- and extrahepatic (21.0%). There was no difference in RFS based on site of recurrence (intrahepatic: 16.9 months; extrahepatic: 16.6 months; intra- and extrahepatic: 16.2 month; P > 0.05). Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with overall recurrence risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56), while history of RFA (HR = 2.39, P = 0.001) and R1 margin status (HR = 1.36) were predictive of intrahepatic recurrence. Pattern of recurrence and RFS remained similar following repeat surgery for recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

While 5-year survival following surgery for colorectal liver metastasis approaches 50%, over one-half of patients develop recurrence within 2 years. The pattern of failure is distributed relatively equally among intrahepatic, extrahepatic, and intra- plus extrahepatic sites. Patients undergoing repeat surgery for recurrent metastasis have similar patterns of recurrence and RFS time.

The role of FDG-PET in the selection of patients with colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Selection of patients for hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases is still limited. After conventional work up by computed tomography (CT) scan, 60% of patients will develop recurrent disease in the early years after resection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an additional fluorine-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) improves patient selection and therefore adds value to select patients for curative liver resection.

METHODS

Data from 203 patients selected for surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases between 1995 and 2003 were collected in a prospective database. Group A consisted of 100 consecutive patients selected for hepatic surgery by conventional diagnostic imaging (CT chest and abdomen) only. Group B consisted of 103 consecutive patients selected for hepatic surgery by conventional diagnostic methods plus an additional FDG-PET.

RESULTS

The number of patients with futile surgery, in which further treatment was considered inappropriate at laparotomy, was 28.0% in group A and 19.4% in group B. The reason for unresectable disease differed between groups. In group A, 10/100 (10.0%) patients showed extrahepatic abdominal disease versus 2/103 patients (1.9%) in group B (P = .017). In all other cases, resection was not performed because liver disease proved too extensive at laparotomy. For patients ultimately undergoing surgical treatment of the metastases, survival was comparable between groups. Overall survival at 3 years was 57.1% in group A versus 60.1% in group B. Disease-free survival at 3 years was 23.0% in group A and 31.4% in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with colorectal liver metastases, FDG-PET may reduce the number of negative laparotomies. However, the effect size on the selection of these patients seems not sufficient enough to affect the overall and disease-free survival after treatment.

Follow-up and outcomes for resection of colorectal liver metastases in Edinburgh

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the value of a defined follow-up protocol for patients undergoing potentially curative hepatic resection for colorectal hepatic metastases.

METHODS

A standard protocol for the duration of the study consisted of clinical assessment, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and computed tomography. Patterns of recurrence, method and timing of diagnosis and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-one patients underwent potentially curative resection from 1989 to 2004 of whom 103 developed recurrence. The median (inter-quartile range) follow-up was 24.4 (6.5-42.3) months. The median (IQR) time to recurrence and overall survival was 25.0 (10 -not yet reached) and 45.2 (21-123) months, respectively. Seventeen patients (8.9%) underwent further surgery with curative intent. Fifty-five patients (57.9%) had recurrence diagnosed at routine follow-up with 71% (44/62) being diagnosed by CEA and CT. The CEA was elevated in 85.7% (72/84 patients) at the time of diagnosis of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Although the detection of recurrent disease is common during follow-up after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases, few patients will be suitable for further intervention with curative intent. The exact nature of the follow-up protocol remains to be determined but if it is going to be performed it should be most intensive within the first 3 years.

Detecting curable disease following hepatectomy for colorectal metastases

INTRODUCTION

Although resection may be curative for patients with hepatic colorectal metastases, recurrence occurs in the majority. Recurrence is occasionally amenable to repeated resection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate which modalities, at what intervals, detected potentially curable resection.

METHODS

The records of patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases over 10 years in one centre were retrospectively reviewed to determine when and how recurrence was diagnosed. Specific attention was paid to the detection of potentially curable disease.

RESULTS

Of 41 recurrences, 22 occurred in the first year postoperatively, 21 of which were suitable for palliative treatment only. Ten of 19 recurrences occurring after 1 year underwent potentially curative intervention, 10 were diagnosed by computed tomography (CT). Carcinoembryonic antigen did not diagnose any curable recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

A follow-up protocol is proposed, based on annual CT.

Significance of hepatic pedicle lymph node involvement in patients with colorectal liver metastases: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether hepatic pedicle lymph node (HP-LN) involvement is a more significant prognostic factor and whether HP-LN dissection could be efficient in patients with positive HP-LN involvement.

METHODS

From 1988 to 1998, HP-LN dissection was prospectively performed in 160 patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. Survival of patients with HP-LN involvement limited to the hepatoduodenal ligament and retropancreatic portion (area 1) was compared with that of patients with HP-LN involvement spreading over the common hepatic artery and celiac axis (area 2).

RESULTS

HP-LN involvement was detected in 17 patients. The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with HP-LN involvement. HP-LN involvement was the most significant prognostic factor. Survival was significantly higher in patients with HP-LN involvement limited to area 1 than in those with HP-LN involvement spreading over area 2.

CONCLUSIONS

HP-LN involvement was the most significant prognostic indicator in patients with colorectal liver metastases. Positive LNs of area 1 should no longer be considered an absolute contraindication to liver resection, but in case of area 2 lymph node involvement, liver resection does not seem justified.

The role of adjuvant therapy after liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases

Intrahepatic recurrence is common after major resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases to the liver. In this review, the available data on different adjuvant therapies from systemic chemotherapy to regional approaches by direct perfusion of chemotherapeutic agents via the hepatic artery and portal vein will be discussed. Intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy is another form of regional therapy. Novel approaches with immunotherapy and trials of neoadjuvant therapy in association with resection of CRC hepatic metastases have also been reported. The purpose of this review is to outline these various strategies and their role in combination with resection of CRC liver metastases. Although improved hepatic disease-free survival has been demonstrated with some strategies, overall survival is minimally affected and recurrence of metastatic disease at distant sites is still a major problem. Therefore, future directions should incorporate the use of new systemic agents effective against CRC metastases. Identification of subgroups through clinical features, molecular markers, proteins, or specific tumor properties may also help to individualize treatment.

Liver irradiation: a potential preparative regimen for hepatocyte transplantation

Advances in the understanding of hepatocyte engraftment and repopulation of the host liver have already led to the use of hepatocyte transplantation (HT) with some success in the treatment of inherited and acquired liver diseases. Wider application of HT is severely limited by the unavailability of large number of transplantable hepatocytes and difficulties associated with transplanting an adequate number of cells for achieving therapeutically satisfactory levels of metabolic correction. Therefore, there is a need for preparative regimens that provide a growth advantage to the transplanted (healthy) hepatocytes over the host's own (diseased) hepatocytes so that the former can repopulate the host liver. We have recently shown that when the liver of recipient rats was subjected to radiotherapy and partial hepatectomy before HT, the transplanted hepatocytes engrafted in and massively repopulated the liver, and also ameliorated the adverse clinical and histopathological changes associated with hepatic irradiation. This protocol was then used as a preparative regimen for transplanting normal hepatocytes into jaundice mutant rats (Gunn strain), which lack hepatic bilirubin-uridinediphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase and is a model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome Type I. The results showed long-term correction of the metabolic abnormality, suggesting that the transplanted hepatocytes repopulated an irradiated liver and were metabolically functional. This strategy could be useful in the treatment of various genetic, metabolic, or malignant diseases of the liver.

Surgery for colorectal liver metastases with hepatic lymph node involvement: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Liver resection for colorectal metastases is the only known treatment associated with long-term survival; extrahepatic disease is usually considered a contraindication to such treatment. However, some surgeons do not regard spread to the hepatic lymph nodes as a contraindication provided that these nodes can be excised adequately. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to address this issue.

METHODS

An electronic search using Medline, Cancerlit and Embase databases was performed for studies reporting liver resection for colorectal metastases from 1964 to 1999. Data were extracted from papers reporting outcome for patients with positive hepatic nodes and analysed according to predetermined criteria.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were identified that gave survival data on 145 node-positive patients. Five patients were reported to have survived 5 years after liver resection; one was disease free, two had recurrent disease and the disease status was not described in the remaining two. Five studies containing 83 patients specified a formal lymph node dissection as part of the surgical procedure and four of the five node-positive 5-year survivors were from these studies.

CONCLUSION

There are few 5-year survivors after liver resection, with or without lymph node dissection, for colorectal hepatic metastases involving the hepatic lymph nodes.

Global approach to hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: indication and outcome of intra-arterial chemotherapy and other hepatic-directed treatments

Liver metastases of colorectal cancer is present in more than 20% of new diagnosed patients and in 40-60% of relapsed patients. It is a life-threatening prognostic aspect. Hepatic resection, when possible, is the best therapeutic modality, although the overall survival rate is still low (30%). Angiography and intraoperative ultrasonography are useful for resection. The number of hepatic metastases and the surgical margin are probably the most significant prognostic factors. Colorectal cancer may spread predominantly to the liver making regional treatment strategies viable options. Subtotal hepatic resections and segmentectomies are potentially curable procedures for single or small numbers of hepatic metastases without other sites of disease. However, there have been no prospective randomized trials comparing patients with unresected liver metastases and resected metastases. Regional chemotherapy with floxuridine seems usefull combined with hepatic resection or as palliative therapy. Gastric ulcer and biliary sclerosis are the main related toxicities. Patients with localized, unresectable hepatic metastases or concomitant bad medical condition may be candidates for radiation, percutaneous ethanol injection, cryosurgery, percutaneous radiofrequency, hypoxic flow-stop perfusions with bioreductive alkylating agents, hepatic arterial ligation, embolization and chemoembolization. These new hepatic-directed modalities of treatment are being investigated and may offer new approaches to providing palliation and prolonging survival. This review will report the possibilities of intra-arterial chemotherapy and other novel hepatic-directed approaches to the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Multiple bilobar liver metastases: cryotherapy for residual lesions after liver resection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Most patients with colorectal liver metastases are not eligible for resection because they have multiple lesions or because of anatomical constraints. We report the use of cryotherapy to destroy residual metastases following liver resection in patients with disease too widespread for treatment by resection alone.

METHODS

Twenty patients with bilobar disease confined to the liver (median 3; range 2-8 lesions) were treated in this way. Seventeen patients also received regional chemotherapy postoperatively.

RESULTS

Morbidity was high, but there were no procedure-related deaths and only one patient's hospital stay exceeded 24 days. Significant destruction of tumor, as evidenced by a decline in CEA levels, occurred within 3 months of surgery in all patients (P < 0.001). Median duration of follow-up was 15 (6-53) months. Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 88% and 60%, respectively, and median survival was 32 months. Seven patients remain well and seven are alive with recurrent liver and/or other metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this is not a control study, it would appear that some patients with irresectable liver metastases benefit from this multimodality approach.

Invasive therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver

Resection, when possible, is still the best hope for cure of colorectal metastasis to the liver. Poor prognostic indicators for survival include heavy tumor burden, the presence of extrahepatic disease, synchronous metastasis, and the inability to perform resection with a 1-cm margin. Questionable poor prognostic indicators include multiple metastases (more than three), bilobar disease, and the need to transfuse patients during resection. Preoperatively, a patient must be evaluated for the extent of liver disease and the presence of extrahepatic disease with a CT of the abdomen and routine studies of the chest. Intraoperatively, a surgeon should be able to perform or obtain ultrasonography of the liver to detect occult metastases and delineate anatomy. The surgeon should be experienced in wedge, segmental, and lobar resection. Equipment for cryotherapy and arterial infusion devices should be available, and staff experienced in these modalities should be present. If all of these factors are present, the options for the invasive treatment of colorectal metastasis to the liver can be carried out in a manner that should provide the most benefit at a low morbidity to this population of patients.

Repeat hepatic surgery for colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver

OBJECTIVE

The authors addressed whether a repeat hepatic operation is warranted in patients with recurrent isolated hepatic metastases. Are the results as good after second operation as after first hepatic operation?

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Five-year survival after initial hepatic operation for colorectal metastases is approximately 33%. Because available alternative methods of treatment provide inferior results, hepatic resection for isolated colorectal metastasis currently is well accepted as the best treatment option. However, the main cause of death after liver resection for colorectal metastasis is tumor recurrence.

METHODS

Records of 95 patients undergoing initial hepatic operation and 10 patients undergoing repeat operation for isolated hepatic metastases were reviewed for operative morbidity and mortality, survival, disease-free survival, and pattern of failure. The literature on repeat hepatic resection for colorectal metastases was reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean interval between the initial colon operation and first hepatic resection was 14 months. The mean interval between the first and second hepatic operation was 17 months. Operative mortality was 0%. At a mean follow-up of 33 +/- 27 months, survival in these ten patients was 100% at 1 year and 88% +/- 12% at 2 years. Disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years was 60% +/- 16% and 45% +/- 17%, respectively. After second hepatic operation, recurrence has been identified in 60% of patients at a mean of 24 +/- 30 months (median 9 months). Two of these ten patients had a third hepatic resection. Survival and disease-free survival for the 10 patients compared favorably with the 95 patients who underwent initial hepatic resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat hepatic operation for recurrent colorectal metastasis to the liver yields comparable results to first hepatic operations in terms of operative mortality and morbidity, survival, disease-free survival, and pattern of recurrence. This work helps to establish that repeat hepatic operation is the most successful form of treatment for isolated recurrent colorectal metastases.

Hepatic cryosurgery in treating colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cryosurgery as an adjunct to resection in treating patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with documented metastases limited to the liver from colorectal adenocarcinoma were treated with cryosurgery with or without resection from November 1987 to February 1992 and were followed until February 1994. Intraoperative ultrasound was used to map the lesions and place the cryoprobes. Each lesion was frozen to -196 degrees centigrade for 15 minutes, thawed for 10 minutes, and frozen again for 15 minutes. Follow-up computed tomographic scans were obtained before hospital discharge and 6 months and 1 year after cryosurgery. Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were obtained monthly.

RESULTS

Thirty-one males and 16 females, with a median age of 63 years, were treated. The median hospital stay was 10 days, and follow-up ranged from 24 to 57 months, with a median follow-up of 26 months. The actual survival at 24 months was 62%. Eleven percent of these patients had no evidence of disease at a median follow-up of 30 months. Complications included myoglobinuria, coagulopathy, pleural effusions, and bile duct injuries. Two patients (4%) died because of multisystem organ failure with irreversible coagulopathies.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryosurgical ablation increases the number of patients with liver metastases who potentially can become disease free. However, the effect on overall survival will require a longer follow-up period.

Hepatic resection for metastases from colorectal carcinoma--a survival analysis

Between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1992, 66 patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinomas underwent liver resection. 40 of these patients had synchronous hepatic metastases, and liver resection was carried out simultaneously with radical resection of the primary tumour; in 26 cases metachronous metastases in the liver were surgically removed. 25 patients had an anatomical resection and the remainder underwent atypical resections. The postoperative mortality rate was 4.5% and the major complication rate was 19.7%. Univariate and subsequently multivariate analyses were used to predict the influence of various clinical, histopathological and surgical variables. The observed 5-year survival rate was 29.6% and the 5-year disease-free survival rate 13.9%. Furthermore, the observed median survival time was 24.7 months and the mean disease-free survival time was 16.7 months. Multivariate analysis showed that stage of primary (pTN) (P = 0.043), tumour grading (P = 0.013) and site of primary (P = 0.007) were factors which independently influenced 5-year disease-free survival whereas stage of primary (pTN) (P = 0.008), tumour grading (P = 0.004) and type of resection (P = 0.035) were identified as having independent influence on 5-year observed survival. We consider liver resection to be an effective form of treatment for patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma, although the overall chances for cure are generally not very promising. It appears that the biological behaviour of the primary tumour, in terms of tumour stage and grading, has the greatest influence on survival.

Advances in the treatment of early- to late-stage colorectal cancer: 20 years of progress

BACKGROUND

Numerous scientific and clinical advances have made significant changes in our understanding of the etiology of colorectal cancer and in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with large bowel malignancy or its precursor lesions.

METHODS

A personal view of 20 years of progress was presented at the Commission on Cancer lecture during the 1993 Clinical Convocation of the American College of Surgeons.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of early bowel cancers, significant benefit from multimodality therapy of more advanced resectable bowel cancers, and better articulated selection criteria in patients with recurrent colorectal cancers are reviewed. Most importantly, both physical and emotional consequences of our therapies are shown to have diminished without sacrificing the ability to cure. Perhaps the next major challenge is for the general surgeon to assume responsibility as the primary medical manager of any patient with gastrointestinal cancer from the time of diagnosis onward.

Pre- and postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen determinations in hepatic resection for colorectal metastases. Predictive value and implications for adjuvant treatment based on multivariate analysis

OBJECTIVE

The object of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of pre- and postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the resectional treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases. The main question was whether postoperative CEA levels correlated with survival and the time to recurrence.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Despite numerous investigations on prognostic factors in colorectal cancer, only sparse data are available to estimate the patient's individual risk for tumor recurrence postoperatively. It is controversial whether preoperative CEA values are of prognostic significance, and after observing the kinetics of CEA decline, elevated CEA levels postoperatively were found to be an ominous sign. CEA therefore could indicate the presence of a tumor burden after resection.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-six patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal metastases with curative intent were prospectively documented and underwent multivariate analysis for indicators of prognosis.

RESULTS

Abnormal preoperative CEA levels were not of prognostic significance compared with values within the normal range (survival, 36 vs. 30 months; p = 0.12; disease-free survival, 12 vs. 10 months; p = 0.82). The postoperative serum CEA level, however, was the most predictive factor with regard to survival and the disease-free interval. Patients in whom CEA levels were abnormal before surgery and returned into the normal range after resection had significantly better survival times (37 vs. 23 months, p = 0.0001) and disease-free survival times (12 vs. 6.2 months, p = 0.0001) compared with patients with persistently abnormal values.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre- and postoperative determination of the serum CEA level is mandatory to judge whether a curative resection has been performed and whether tumor has been left behind after the operation. Postoperative CEA levels also should be used as a stratification criterion in adjuvant treatment studies after hepatic resection to indicate patients with a high risk of tumor recurrence.

Redo hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Redo hepatic resection for recurrent colorectal metastasis was performed in eight patients. There was no operative mortality; major morbidity occurred in 25% and minor morbidity in 13% of patients. Four patients are alive and disease-free at 9, 23, 39, and 49 months, respectively, after their repeat hepatic resection. Four patients have died of recurrent disease, with a median time to recurrence of 6 months and median survival of 15 months. Patterns of failure include hepatic failure alone in two patients and pulmonary and hepatic failure in two. Repeat liver resection can be performed safely and may be beneficial in some patients with recurrent metastases confined to the liver after previous hepatic metastasectomy.

Pattern of recurrence after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases

Between 1978 and 1989, 159 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer underwent hepatic resection. Of 134 patients in whom metastases were confined to the liver, 109 had tumours removed completely with histologically negative resection margins. Two patients died in hospital. Ultrasonographically guided partial resection was performed in 80 patients, lateral segmentectomy in seven and lobectomy in 22. The 5-year survival rate of patients undergoing potentially curative resection was 47.9 per cent. Patients with metachronous tumours showed a significantly better prognosis than those with synchronous lesions in both univariate (P < 0.01) and multivariate (P = 0.01) analysis. During a median follow-up of 35.4 months, 64 patients developed recurrence, including 34 in the liver, 20 in the lung and 12 in the abdominal cavity. Of those with hepatic recurrence, ten patients developed tumours at the initial resection bed, seven in the same lobe, five in the contralateral lobe and 12 in both lobes. Ultrasonographically guided partial liver resection did not increase the risk of hepatic recurrence.

Standard postoperative monitoring of patients after primary resection of colon and rectum cancer

The goal of monitoring after primary treatment of any solid tumor, including colon and rectum carcinoma, is to help the patient. The general parameters include prevention of secondary tumors or precancers (because most patients with solid tumors are at greater risk than the general population for second tumors of the same histology), the cure of symptomatic or asymptomatic tumor recurrences, and the palliation of symptomatic tumor recurrences. Additional rationale for more stringent follow-up is somewhat dependent upon the venue of patient care, including the necessity for more frequent studies if the patient happens to be in a protocol in which disease-free survival and/or patterns of recurrence are being investigated. Keeping these parameters in mind, most prevalent follow-up plans remain empiric and probably are not justifiable, on the basis of either cost-effective analysis or real benefit to the patient.

Monoclonal antibody imaging in patients with colorectal cancer and increasing levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen. Experience with ZCE-025 and IMMU-4 monoclonal antibodies and proposed directions for clinical trials

In an effort to identify the site of recurrent colorectal cancer in patients with occult metastasis and increasing serum CEA levels, we conducted two trials using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against CEA. The first utilized Indium-111-labeled ZCE-025; an immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) anticarcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) antibody (Hybritech, San Diego, CA). The second study used Tc-99m-labeled Fab' fragment of IMMU-4 (Immunomedics, Morris Plains, NJ). Eighteen patients were imaged with the ZCE-025 and 14 with the Tc-99m Fab' IMMU-4. True-positive scans, defined as at least one correct correlation of the MoAb scan and surgical/histologic findings, were observed in 12 of 15 patients undergoing exploration or biopsy using the ZCE-025 and 11 of 14 using the IMMU-4. There were no true-negative scans with the ZCE-025 and only 2 of 14 with the IMMU-4. There were 3 false-positive scans with the ZCE-025 and 1 of 14 with IMMU-4. There were no false-negative scans with either ZCE-025 or IMMU-4. Four (31%) of 13 patients undergoing exploration and imaged with ZCE-025 and 5 (36%) of 14 imaged with IMMU-4 had complete tumor resection. Treatment decisions were affected in 3 (16%) of 18 ZCE-025-imaged patients and 3 (21%) of 14 IMMU-4 ones. Two (14%) of 14 patients imaged with IMMU-4 had negative MoAb scans and negative laparotomies. Despite these findings, it is not known whether such early detection and resection will translate into improved survival rates. The authors suggest two randomized studies, one designed to ascertain the role of MoAb added to blind exploratory laparotomy. In that study, patients with increasing CEA levels and a negative workup will be randomized to an exploratory laparotomy preceded by MoAb anti-CEA scans or a straight exploratory laparotomy without the assistance of a MoAb anti-CEA scan. Endpoints will be differences in complete resectability and survival. A second study will examine the merits of blind exploratory laparotomies. In that study, patients with increasing CEA levels and a negative workup would be randomized to MoAb imaging, exploratory laparotomy, and radioimmunoguided surgery, and the other cohort of patients would continue to have conventional radiologic workup. Exploration in this latter group would be performed only when indicated by radiologic or endoscopic studies. The endpoint of the study would compare survival in the two cohorts of patients. These two studies may ultimately settle the debate regarding the correct approach to patients with occult metastatic colorectal cancer and a increasing levels of serum CEA.

Recent advances in surgery for colon and rectal cancer

Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for colon and rectal cancer. Over the past several decades, there have been important advances both in the understanding of the biology of colon and rectal cancer and in the preoperative and operative techniques for treating this disease. Although it appears in some studies that we have made a difference in the survival rates in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer, in actual fact, this phenomenon may only be secondary to better staging and, therefore, a greater ability to prognosticate a particular patient's chance of cure. What has been learned in the past 20 to 30 years is that most colon and rectal carcinomas start as polyps of the colon and rectum. Most often, polyps are sporadic, but there are certain high-risk groups that produce polyps and, consequently, colon and rectal cancer at a much higher rate. The goal of a practicing physician is to identify these high-risk individuals and to recommend frequent screenings so as to intervene before a polyp has had a chance to become a deeply invasive cancer. These high-risk groups are best typified by familial adenomatous polyposis, which if left untreated will, in 100% of cases, lead to the death of a patient from colon or rectal cancer. Other diseases that lead to an increase in colon and rectal cancer but may not go through the usual adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence include inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's colitis and ulcerative colitis. Most patients with colorectal carcinoma are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. This phenomenon has led to efforts to screen the general population for polyps and for cancer. Screening techniques such as the detection of occult blood in the stool and endoscopic procedures are currently the most popular. It is unclear at this time exactly what the efficacy of these techniques is in improving the survival of the general population from colorectal carcinoma. The surgical techniques to remove colon and rectal carcinomas have recently expanded to include a more aggressive local excision policy for small tumors of the rectum and the application of laparoscopic techniques, new stapling techniques, and new anastomosing techniques for tumors of the colon and rectum. These techniques have become possible in part through advances in surgical instrumentation and also in part from our increasing understanding of the biology of the disease. Both have allowed for more creative approaches to diagnosing and treating colon and rectal cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hepatic resection following systemic chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Increasingly effective systemic chemotherapy has improved responses in patients with previously unresectable colorectal hepatic metastases. In the future, response to chemotherapy may define a new population of patients that may benefit from hepatic resection. A retrospective review to determine the safety and effectiveness of potentially curative hepatic resection of metastatic colorectal carcinoma after systemic chemotherapy identified 11 such patients with resections between July 1987 and October 1991. Five patients had unresectable disease confined to the liver, two had hepatic and limited extrahepatic metastases, two had hepatic recurrences after previous hepatic metastasectomy, and two had initially resectable liver metastases. These patients were resected after a mean of 8 months of systemic chemotherapy. Complications, usually minor, occurred in five patients (45%). There were no deaths. Three patients are disease free at 15, 18, and 31 months (mean 21) after hepatic resection. Eight patients have recurred with a median time to recurrence of 8 months. Five patients have subsequently died of recurrent disease. This study suggests that hepatic resection following systemic chemotherapy can be performed safely and may benefit selected patients.

Whole liver intraoperative irradiation after partial hepatectomy produces minimal functional and pathologic lesions

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was delivered to remnant rat liver after partial hepatectomy to determine the chronic effects of treatment on survival, blood chemistry, liver weight, and histology. Survival at one year was 100%. Remnant liver weight was markedly increased in all animals. Liver function appeared to be unaltered in all groups and at all observation times. Inflammatory cell infiltration occurred immediately after treatment in all animals, showing a slight progression until day 45; by day 180 the values had returned to baseline. Vascular changes were seen early in all groups, then progressively decreased; the vascular score was back to baseline at days 180 and 365. Nuclear alterations were observed in both irradiated and nonirradiated hepatic cells; in all cases these were limited to isolated or focal areas of hepatocytes. There was little fibrosis formation and by day 180 all scores were back to baseline. We conclude that the chronic effects of whole liver IORT after one-third hepatectomy are minimal in the rat and are similar to those observed after surgery alone.

Morbidity and survival of liver resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma

Sixty-two patients underwent hepatic resection for isolated colorectal metastases from 1963 to 1988. The numbers of hepatic resections were: lobectomy, 24 (39 percent); wedge resection, 23 (37 percent); and segmentectomy, 15 (24 percent). The median number of intraoperative blood transfusions was 3.0 units (range, 0-16 units). The median number of days in the hospital following hepatic resection was 13 (range, 4-51 days). There were 19 patients (30 percent), who developed a total of 23 complications. Surgery was required for complications in nine patients. Surgical mortality occurred in 5 of 62 (8 percent) patients. The estimated median survival in 56 patients with one to three metastases was 26 months, with a 28 percent estimated 5-year survival. The median size of the metastases was 4.0 cm (range, 0.7-13 cm). The estimated median survival in 27 patients with metastases less than 4 cm in diameter was 26 months, with a 24 percent estimated 5-year survival. The estimated median overall survival from the time of hepatic resection was 25 months.

One hundred patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer treated by resection: analysis of prognostic determinants

One hundred patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer underwent 'radical' liver resection from 1980 to 1989. At least 1 cm of normal parenchyma surrounded the tumour and no microscopic invasion of resection margins was evident. The disease was staged according to our own staging system. Lobectomy was performed in 50 patients and non-anatomical resection in the remainder. The postoperative mortality rate was 5 per cent and the major morbidity rate was 11 per cent. The actuarial 5-year survival rate for patients in stages I, II and III was 42 per cent, 34 per cent and 15 per cent respectively (P less than 0.001). The overall actuarial 5-year survival rate was 30 per cent. The prognostic importance of various patient and tumour variables was evaluated by univariate analysis and then by multivariate analysis. Age of patient, site of primary, disease-free interval between treatment of primary and of hepatic metastases, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and number of metastases, did not relate to prognosis, while sex (P = 0.024), stage of primary (P = 0.026), extent of liver involvement (P less than 0.001), distribution of metastases (P = 0.01) and type of surgery (P = 0.028) significantly affected prognosis as single factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that only the extent of liver involvement and stage of the primary tumour were independent predictors of survival. We conclude that liver resection is effective in selected patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. In resectable patients it is not yet possible to formulate a clear prognosis based on clinical factors. The extent of liver involvement and the staging system used may be significant, although not absolute, indicators of outcome.

Second-look surgery for recurrent colorectal carcinoma: is it worthwhile?

Second-look surgery for recurrent colorectal carcinoma has been advocated for over four decades. Routine follow-up procedures gave way to clinically directed or carcinoembryonic (CEA)-directed procedures in the mid-1970's. In this paper, we review the results of second-look surgery for recurrent colorectal carcinoma and ask the question, "Is it worthwhile?" Excluding surgery for symptomatic patients, we conclude that second-look surgery should only be performed for recurrent colorectal carcinoma with the intent of rendering the patient disease-free. Without effective systemic therapy, "palliative" or "debulking" procedures probably do not increase survival. The most likely candidates for such a curative approach with second-look surgery are those with isolated liver, pulmonary, and, less frequently, regional recurrences.

Ultrasound-guided hepatic cryosurgery in the treatment of metastatic colon carcinoma. Preliminary results

Cryosurgery, the in situ freezing of cancer, has been proposed in the past as a possible treatment for unresectable hepatic tumors. Its advantage lies in the fact that it is a very focal treatment sacrificing less normal tissue than surgical resection, allowing treatment of multiple lobes. Because cryosurgery does not affect large vessels, tumors in difficult locations, such as adjacent to the inferior vena cava (IVC), can be treated. With the use of intraoperative ultrasound to place the cryoprobes and monitor the freezing process, 18 patients with unresectable metastatic colon carcinoma confined to the liver were treated. Of the 18 patients treated, 4 (22%) are in complete remission as determined by computed tomography (CT) scans and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, with a mean follow-up of 28.8 months. Four patients (22%) were not adequately treated at the time of cryosurgery. The number of lesions frozen in each patient ranged from 1 to 12, with a mean of 6 lesions. Fourteen patients had bilobar disease; three patients had previous right lobectomies with recurrences in their remaining left lobes prior to cryosurgery, and one patient had unilobar disease. Mean survival of the 14 cases with recurrence was 21.4 months, with 2 of the 14 still alive. Ultrasound-guided hepatic cryosurgery appears to be an effective treatment for metastatic colon carcinoma to the liver that is unresectable (including patients with bilobar and multiple lesions). These preliminary results indicate that the procedure warrants further study.

Rat liver tolerance for partial resection and intraoperative radiation therapy: regeneration is radiation dose dependent

We studied the feasibility of delivering a large single dose of intraoperative radiation as an adjuvant to partial hepatic resection. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was delivered to the remaining liver of 84 rats after partial hepatectomy to determine the acute and chronic effects of treatment on blood chemistry values, histology, survival, hepatic regeneration, and cellular appearance of the normal liver. Transient elevations in SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase were attributed both to hepatectomy and to liver parenchymal damage induced by IORT. Microscopic examination upon necropsy, performed at frequent intervals post-treatment revealed hepatic capsular thickening with some alteration of liver architecture mainly underneath the capsule, with localized inflammation and some areas of necrosis. Survival in all groups was 100% at 45 days. Liver weight increase proved to be dose-dependent and displayed a bisphasic pattern. This study demonstrated that IORT is a feasible adjunct to surgical resection of the liver in the rat model.

Tumor recurrence and options for further treatment after resection of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of recurrence and its impact on therapy in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases. Within 7 years 105 patients were operated on; 75 patients were followed up for at least 2 years postoperatively with a median follow-up of 30 months (range 24-93 months). The median time interval when patients were free of tumor recurrence was only 9 months. The initial recurrence site was the liver in 47% and the other sites were extrahepatic in 39%. Seventy-one percent of the patients developed disseminated metastases as the disease progressed. The median survival time after diagnosis of tumor recurrence was 14 months and was significantly affected by the type of treatment used for the recurrence. Surgical resection was followed by a 23-month median survival, while systemic and intra-arterial chemotherapy led to a 14- and 15-month median survival time, respectively. Untreated patients had a median survival of only 4 months. It is concluded that liver resection for colorectal secondaries leads to a very limited number of disease-free survivors after 5 years. As a few patients may profit from a surgical treatment even in cases of recurrence, surgery should not be regarded as useless.

New surgical treatments for recurrent colorectal cancer

Currently, only two areas of recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer are potentially surgically curable: isolated liver and isolated lung metastases. Regional recurrence from rectal cancer, although probably not resectable for cure, offers an appropriate palliative goal because symptoms in such patients are intolerable. We review several new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that have allowed wider application of surgical approaches for cure or palliation in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer.

Resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. Biologic perspective

During the past decade the results of slightly fewer than 1000 resections of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma have been analyzed, retrospectively reanalyzed, and reviewed. The following are confirmed conclusions: major liver resection can be performed safely (less than a 5% operative mortality rate); 20% to 25% of these patients are cured; no other regional therapy options have any curative potential. The following caveats are also obvious: most patients who are operated on are not cured; although predictors have been proposed to select patients most likely to benefit from surgery, none is discriminating in and of itself; most therapy questions in this group of patients have not been addressed in any formal way; surgery for isolated regionally recurrent colon and rectum carcinoma remains an important stopgap only until effective systemic therapy is discovered. This review of our own and other single and multi-institutional prospective and retrospective data will be framed by the following questions. (1) Does resection of liver metastases cure patients or simply select those who would have survived in the long-term without any therapy? (2) In the absence of any formalized, properly designed trial, how can one judge the benefit of resection? (3) Why do metastases recur only in the liver? (4) What new therapies should focus on the predominant secondary failure sites in the majority of patients who do not benefit from hepatic metastasis resection?

Surgery for colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver. Optimizing the results of treatment

Overall, hepatic resection appears to be an important means of curing patients with metastatic colorectal cancer isolated to the liver. The only absolute contraindication to surgery was the impossibility of a radical removal of tumor: if residual disease will remain after the hepatic resection, this operation is not indicated. A possible second contraindication to surgery is the presence of tumor in the hepatic or celiac lymph nodes. Such metastases from liver metastases signal a biologic grade of tumor that is almost sure to spread to other sites. However, one patient of the 25 in this group did survive long term when positive lymph node groups were dissected. Further clinical experience with this form of the disease along with trials of regional adjuvant therapies such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy may be needed. The presence of extrahepatic metastases at the time of liver resection should be considered a relative contraindication to this surgery, but if the patient can be made clinically disease free, long-term disease-free survival may result. It seems imperative that all patients with hepatic metastases be evaluated by an experienced hepatic surgeon for a curative resection. If the patient has between one and four metastases, a 25 per cent long-term disease-free survival rate can be expected. Patients who have a radical resection of more than four metastases should be considered to be in an experimental group in whom more data are needed. In our current state of knowledge, making such patients clinically disease free is their only chance for long-term survival. Other factors besides the number of metastases that will affect the prognosis of the patient include the disease-free interval between colorectal resection and liver resection, the pathologic margin of resection on the liver specimen, and the presence or absence of mesenteric lymph node metastases from the primary cancer. These factors should be considered when determining the prognosis in a given patient and should be used as stratification variables in prospective trials. However, from our analysis of available data, these factors should not be considered contraindications to hepatic resection.

Experience with colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver

The predilection of colorectal cancer metastases for the liver is probably the result of several factors, including the blood supply, the "homing" characteristics of the tumor cells, and the state of the liver. Five-year survival rates after hepatic resection for colorectal cancer metastases range from 20 to 40 per cent, and some other patients obtain palliative benefit. The authors discuss the three presentations of liver metastases, operative techniques, and prognostic factors.

Hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: resection or not

This review evaluates the available evidence dealing with the natural history of hepatic metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods of detection of such metastases are discussed and the factors influencing survival after surgical resection are reviewed.

Recurrence of colorectal cancer after hepatic resection

Survival estimates of 95, 65, and 49 percent at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, after hepatic resection in 77 patients when all gross metastatic cancer was removed compare favorably with the series of Wagner et al [20] of untreated, apparently comparable patients. In the present series, recurrent disease was evident after hepatic resection, most commonly in the lungs; the liver; and locally, in that order. About half of the 45 patients with a second recurrence were operated on, and the recurrence was completely removed in roughly half of these patients. A median survival estimate of 31 months (range 1 to 67 months) after complete removal of the second recurrence was better than the survival estimate of 14 months (range 1 to 18 months) for those in whom the recurrence could not be removed (p less than 0.01). An elevated carcinoembryonic antigen level as the only indicator of recurrence after hepatic resection has proved to be an ominous prognostic sign.