Added value of positron emission tomography imaging in the surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Nucl Med Commun. 2010;31:938-944. [PMID: 20856152 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0b013e32833fa9ba]

Colon cancer: the 2023 Korean clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients' values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Economic evaluations of radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres in liver metastases of colorectal cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90 TARE) microspheres therapy has demonstrated positive clinical benefits for the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (lmCRC). This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the available economic evaluations of Y-90 TARE for lmCRC.

METHODS

English and Spanish publications were identified from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, MEDES health technology assessment agencies, and scientific congress databases published up to May 2021. The inclusion criteria considered only economic evaluations; thus, other types of studies were excluded. Purchasing-power-parity exchange rates for the year 2020 ($US PPP) were applied for cost harmonisation.

RESULTS

From 423 records screened, seven economic evaluations (2 cost-analyses [CA] and 5 cost-utility-analyses [CUA]) were included (6 European and 1 USA). All included studies (n = 7) were evaluated from a payer and the social perspective (n = 1). Included studies evaluated patients with unresectable liver-predominant metastases of CRC, refractory to chemotherapy (n = 6), or chemotherapy-naïve (n = 1). Y-90 TARE was compared to best supportive care (BSC) (n = 4), an association of folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) (n = 1), and hepatic artery infusion (HAI) (n = 2). Y-90 TARE increased life-years gained (LYG) versus BSC (1.12 and 1.35 LYG) and versus HAI (0.37 LYG). Y-90 TARE increased the quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) versus BSC (0.81 and 0.83 QALY) and versus HAI (0.35 QALY). When considering a lifetime horizon, Y-90 TARE reported incremental cost compared to BSC (range 19,225 to 25,320 $US PPP) and versus HAI (14,307 $US PPP). Y-90 TARE reported incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) between 23,875 $US PPP/QALY to 31,185 $US PPP/QALY. The probability of Y-90 TARE being cost-effective at £ 30,000/QALY threshold was between 56% and 57%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review highlights that Y-90 TARE could be a cost-effective therapy either as a monotherapy or when combined with systemic therapy for treating ImCRC. However, despite the current clinical evidence on Y-90 TARE in the treatment of ImCRC, the global economic evaluation reported for Y-90 TARE in ImCRC is limited (n = 7), therefore, we recommend future economic evaluations on Y-90 TARE versus alternative options in treating ImCRC from the societal perspective.

Newly detected liver nodules with a history of colorectal cancer: are they metastatic? Review of 2,632 cases in a single center

Background

The diagnosis of newly detected liver nodules in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment. Accurate identification of benign nodules can help avoid unnecessary therapy. The aim of our study was to retrospectively review patients with CRC who underwent liver resection for benign liver nodules misdiagnosed as CRC metastasis (CRLM) in our institution.

Methods

We reviewed all patients with a history of CRC who underwent liver resection from January 2012 to December 2019 in our institution. We specifically focused on nodules pathologically confirmed as benign. The pathology was rechecked by an independent pathologist. The clinicopathological characteristics of these patients were collected. Preoperative imaging examinations, including ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) were reviewed.

Results

From 2012 to 2019, a total of 2,632 patients with CRC who were preoperatively diagnosed CRLM received liver resection, among which 2,584 (98.2%) cases were proven to be malignant, and 48 (1.8%) cases were benign. Among these 48 cases, 24 were pathologically confirmed as focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 9 were peliosis, 10 were inflammatory lesions, and 5 were hemangioma. At least one preoperative imaging examination indicated CRLM, with a median size of 2.0 cm (range, 0.4–8.0 cm). Before liver resection, ten patients received chemotherapy after the discovery of liver nodules.

Conclusions

It should be noted that newly detected liver nodules in patients with a history of CRC could be benign. Accurate diagnosis of liver nodules in CRC is necessary to avoid overtreatment and to identify cost-effective medication.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiation Therapy Compared With Surgery and Radiofrequency Ablation in Two Patient Cohorts: Metastatic Liver Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

AIMS

To compare the cost-effectiveness of stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy (SABR) with radiofrequency ablation and surgery in adult patients with metastatic liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two patient cohorts were assessed: liver oligometastases and HCC. For each patient cohort, a decision analytic model was constructed to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions over a 5-year horizon. A Markov process was embedded in the decision model to simulate the possible prognosis of cancer. Data on transition probabilities, survival, side-effects, quality of life and costs were obtained from published sources and the SABR Commissioning through Evaluation (CtE) scheme. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio with respect to quality-adjusted life-years. The robustness of the results was examined in a sensitivity analysis. Analyses were conducted from a National Health Service and Personal Social Services perspective.

RESULTS

In the base case analysis, which assumed that all three interventions were associated with the same cancer progression rates and mortality rates, SABR was the most cost-effective intervention for both patient cohorts. This conclusion was sensitive to the cancer progression rate, mortality rate and cost of interventions. Assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20 000 per quality-adjusted life-year, the probability that SABR is cost-effective was 57% and 50% in liver oligometastases and HCC, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a potential for SABR to be cost-effective for patients with liver oligometastases and HCC. This finding supports further investigation in clinical trials directly comparing SABR with surgery and radiofrequency ablation.

Outcome of indeterminate liver lesions on computed tomography in patients with colorectal cancer

Introduction The aim of this study was to determinate the outcome of indeterminate liver lesions on computed tomography (CT) in patients with a background history of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to identify clinicopathological variables associated with malignancy in these lesions. A secondary aim was to devise a management algorithm for such patients. Methods Patients referred to our institution with indeterminate liver lesions on CT with a background history of CRC between January 2012 and December 2014 were included in the study. Clinicopathological factors, surveillance period and histological findings were analysed. Results Fifty-six patients with indeterminate liver lesions were identified. Fifty-three (94.6%) of these required further imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI; n=50] and positron emission tomography combined with CT [n=3]). For the patients who had MRI, the underlying diagnosis was benign in 19 and colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) in 8 while 23 patients and an indeterminate lesion. In cases that remained indeterminate following MRI, liver resection was performed in 2 patients for a high suspicion of CRLM while the 21 remaining patients underwent interval surveillance (median: 9 months, range: 3-52 months). Of these 21 patients, 14 had benign lesions while CRLM was noted in 6 patients and an incidental hepatocellular carcinoma in a single patient. Age ≥65 years was the only statistically significant clinicopathological factor in predicting an underlying malignancy in patients with indeterminate liver lesions on CT. Conclusions Over a third of the patients diagnosed with indeterminate liver lesions on CT subsequently showed evidence of CRLM. These indeterminate lesions are more likely to be malignant in patients aged ≥65 years.

Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography for Patients with Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastases: Impact on Restaging and Treatment Planning

BACKGROUND

The impact of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) still is debated. Its relevance could be enhanced in the case of recurrent disease. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of PET-CT in restaging and treatment planning for recurrent CLM.

METHODS

A series of 352 consecutive patients undergoing their first liver resection for CLM between 2005 and 2014 was reviewed. Of these patients, 224 (63.6 %) had a recurrence. The 107 patients who had received PET-CT at diagnosis of recurrence before chemotherapy were analyzed. CT was available in all cases, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was available in 64 cases.

RESULTS

Extrahepatic lesions were found in 59 patients. Liver and lung recurrences were detected with excellent sensitivity by CT/MRI and PET-CT (liver: 100 vs. 96.7 %; lung: 95.8 vs. 95.8 %). In detecting other recurrence sites, PET-CT had higher sensitivity than CT/MRI (91.5 vs. 54.2 %, p < 0.01; lymph nodes: 93.5 vs. 64.5 %, p = 0.011; peritoneum: 80 vs. 20 %, p = 0.023; bones: 87.5 vs. 37.5 %, nonsignificant difference). For 28.8 % (17/59) of the patients, the diagnosis of extrahepatic disease was obtained thanks to PET-CT (39.5 % considering nonpulmonary lesions). PET-CT modified treatment strategy in 16 (14.9 %) patients, excluding from surgery 15 (20.3 %) of 74 patients resectable at CT/MRI. This latter subgroup had a lower survival rate than the patients resectable after PET-CT (2-year survival, 22.7 vs. 77.8 %; p = 0.004), similar to the patients unresectable at CT/MRI (57.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

In the authors' experience, PET-CT has offered a relevant contribution to restaging of recurrent CLM. It disclosed one fourth of extrahepatic lesions and prevented worthless surgery for about 20 % of patients.

Systematic review of health state utility values for economic evaluation of colorectal cancer

Cost-utility analyses undertaken to inform decision making regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) require a set of health state utility values (HSUVs) so that the time CRC patients spend in different health states can be aggregated into quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). This study reviews CRC-related HSUVs that could be used in economic evaluation and assesses their advantages and disadvantages with respect to valuation methods used and CRC clinical pathways. Fifty-seven potentially relevant studies were identified which collectively report 321 CRC-related HSUVs. HSUVs (even for similar health states) vary markedly and this adds to the uncertainty regarding estimates of cost-effectiveness. There are relatively few methodologically robust HSUVs that can be directly used in economic evaluations concerned with CRC. There is considerable scope to develop new HSUVs which improve on those currently available either by expanded collection of generic measures or by making greater use of condition-specific data, for example, using mapping algorithms.

Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Versus No PET-CT in the Management of Potentially Resectable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Cost Implications of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose:

To evaluate whether positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) is cost saving, or cost neutral, compared with conventional imaging in management of patients with resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Methods:

Cost evaluation of a randomized trial that compared the effect of PET-CT on surgical management of patients with resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases. Health care use data ≤ 1 year after random assignment was obtained from administrative databases. Cost analysis was undertaken from the perspective of a third-party payer (ie, Ministry of Health). Mean costs with 95% credible intervals (CrI) were estimated by using a Bayesian approach.

Results:

The estimated mean cost per patient in the 263 patients who underwent PET-CT was $45,454 CAD (range, $1,340 to $181,420) and in the 134 control patients, $40,859 CAD (range, $279 to $293,558), with a net difference of $4,327 CAD (95% CrI, −$2,207 to $10,614). The primary cost driver was hospitalization for liver surgery (difference of $2,997 CAD for PET-CT; 95% CrI, −$2,144 to $8,010), which was mainly a result of a longer length of hospital stay for the PET-CT arm (median, 7 v 6 days; P = .03) and a higher postoperative complication rate (20% v 10%; P = .01). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, including the number of liver segments involved with cancer, number of segments resected, and type of liver resection performed. No difference in survival was detected between arms.

Conclusion:

PET-CT was associated with limited clinical benefit and a nonsignificant increased cost. Universal funding of PET-CT in the management of patients with resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases does not seem justified.

PET-CT in the UK: current status and future directions

Combined positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) has taken the oncological world by storm since being introduced into the clinical domain in the early 21(st) century and is firmly established in the management pathway of many different tumour types. Non-oncological applications of PET-CT represent a smaller but steadily growing area of interest. PET-CT continues to be the focus of a large number of research studies and keeping up-to-date with the literature is important but represents a challenge. Consequently guidelines recommending PET-CT usage need to be revised regularly to encompass new developments. The purpose of this article is twofold: first, it provides a detailed review of the evidence-base underpinning the major uses of PET-CT in clinical practice, which may be of value to a wide-range of individuals, including those directly involved with PET-CT and to a much larger group with limited exposure, but for whom a précis of the current state-of-play may help inform other radiology and multidisciplinary team (MDT) work; the second purpose is as a companion to revised guidelines on evidence-based indications for PET-CT in the UK (being published concurrently) providing a detailed commentary on new indications with a summary of emerging data supporting these additional clinical uses of the technique.

[Modern imaging of liver metastases]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

The liver is the second most common location of metastases following the lymph nodes. The accurate characterization of focal liver lesions in oncology patients is especially important because of the high prevalence of benign liver lesions and the possibility of co-existing benign and malignant lesions. The exact interpretation of these lesions is crucial for therapeutic decisions and thus for the prognosis of the patient.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

It is essential to detect all focal liver lesions and to distinguish benign from malignant lesions, especially in the management of oncology patients. Numerous imaging modalities are available for these challenges in the daily routine. An extensive understanding of the advantages and limitations of the various imaging modalities and knowledge of the morphology and the typical and atypical appearances of the different metastases is important.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

This review explains the radiological criteria for various metastases in different modalities. To evaluate the individual prognosis and risk assessment preoperatively, functional imaging is necessary. These personalized pretherapeutic diagnostics are discussed.

Selective Use of (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography in the Management of Metastatic Disease from Colorectal Cancer: Results from a regional centre

OBJECTIVES

Computed tomography (CT) scans are routinely used for primary staging and disease surveillance in patients with colorectal cancer. However, these scans have limited sensitivity in some organs and can only detect lesions with morphological changes, whereas (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) scans are able to detect areas of metabolic change before morphological changes appear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scans over conventional imaging during preoperative work-ups or follow-ups in a selected group of patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study, which took place between July 2009 and May 2011, assessed 1,043 patient records from the South East Scotland Cancer Network colorectal cancer database. A total of 102 patients who underwent (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scans in addition to conventional imaging were included in the study. These patients had potentially resectable metastases, equivocal findings on CT scans and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels with negative conventional imaging.

RESULTS

Of the 102 patients included in the study, 22 underwent a preoperative (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scan and 80 underwent a follow-up 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan. In the preoperative scan group, the (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scan had a major impact on 16 patients (72.75%) and no impact on six patients (27.25%). In the follow-up scan group, the (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scan had a major impact on 51 (63.75%), a minor impact on four (5%), no impact on 22 (27.5%) and a negative impact on three (3.75%) patients.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scans have a considerable effect on disease management when undertaken among indicated colorectal cancer patients.

Cost-effectiveness of PET and PET/computed tomography: a systematic review

The development of clinical diagnostic procedures comprises early-phase and late-phase studies to elucidate diagnostic accuracy and patient outcome. Economic assessments of new diagnostic procedures compared with established work-ups indicate additional cost for 1 additional unit of effectiveness measure by means of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios when considering the replacement of the standard regimen by a new diagnostic procedure. This article discusses economic assessments of PET and PET/computed tomography reported until mid-July 2014. Forty-seven studies on cancer and noncancer indications were identified but, because of the widely varying scope of the analyses, a substantial amount of work remains to be done.

[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose PET for Interventional Oncology in Liver Malignancy

[(18)F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET is a functional imaging tool that provides metabolic information, which has the potential to detect a lesion before it becomes anatomically apparent. This ability constitutes a strong argument for using FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) in the management of oncology patients. Many studies have investigated the accuracy of FDG-PET or FDG-PET/CT for these purposes, but with small sample sizes based on retrospective cohorts. This article provides an overview of the role of FDG-PET or FDG-PET/CT in patients with liver malignancies treated by means of surgical resection, ablative therapy, chemoembolization, radioembolization, and brachytherapy, all being liver-directed oncologic interventions.

A Review and Meta-analysis of Colorectal Cancer Utilities

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review of utility weights for colorectal cancer (CRC) health states reported in the scientific literature and to determine the effects of disease factors, patient characteristics, and utility methods on utility values.

METHODS

We identified 26 articles written in English and published from January 1980 to January 2013, providing 351 unique utilities for CRC health states elicited from 6546 unique respondents. The CRC utility data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with CRC type, stage, time to or from initial care, utility measurement instrument, and administration method as independent variables.

RESULTS

In the base case model, the estimated utility for a patient with stage I to III CRC more than 1 year after surgery, rated using a self-administered time tradeoff instrument, was 0.90. Stage, time to or from initial care, and utility measurement instrument were associated with statistically significant utility differences ranging from -0.19 to 0.02. Utilities for patients with stage IV cancer were 0.19 lower (P < 0.001) than for those with stage I to III cancer. Utilities elicited at more than 1 year after surgery were 0.05 higher than those elicited at 3 months after surgery (P = 0.008). Estimates of differences between utility measurement instruments were sensitive to how repeated scores in the same patient group were treated, and other findings were sensitive to how the disease stage was modeled and method of administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in reported utilities are associated with factors such as cancer stage, time to or from initial care, and utility measurement instrument. More research is needed to study why apparently similar patients report different quality of life.

Cost-effectiveness of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in tumours other than lung cancer: A systematic review

AIM: To systematically review published data on the cost-effectiveness of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) or PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) in tumours other than lung cancer.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Embase databases through the 10^th of October in 2013 was carried out. A search algorithm based on a combination of the terms: (1) “PET” or “ PET/computed tomography (PET/CT)” or “positron emission tomography”; and (2) “cost-effectiveness” or “cost-utility” or “cost-efficacy” or “technology assessment” or “health technology assessment” was used. Only cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analyses in English language were included. Exclusion criteria were: (1) articles not within the field of interest of this review; (2) review articles, editorials or letters, conference proceedings; and (3) outcome evaluation studies, cost studies or health technology assessment reports. For each included study, information was collected concerning basic study, type of tumours evaluated, perspective/type of study, results, unit and comparison alternatives.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included. Head and neck tumours were evaluated in 4 articles, lymphoma in 4, colon-rectum tumours in 3 and breast tumours in 2. Only one article was retrieved for melanoma, oesophagus and ovary tumours. Cost-effectiveness results of FDG-PET or PET/CT ranged from dominated to dominant.

CONCLUSION: Literature evidence about the cost-effectiveness of FDG-PET or PET/CT in tumours other than lung cancer is still limited. Nevertheless, FDG-PET or PET/CT seems to be cost-effective in selective indications in oncology (staging and restaging of head and neck tumours, staging and treatment evaluation in lymphoma).

PET-CT after radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases: suggestions for timing and image interpretation

INTRODUCTION

The main area of concern regarding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of colorectal liver metastases is the risk of developing a local site recurrence (LSR). Reported accuracy of PET-CT in detecting LSR is high compared to morphological imaging alone, but no internationally accepted criteria for image interpretation have been defined. Our aim was to assess criteria for FDG PET-CT image interpretation following RFA, and to define a timetable for follow-up detection of LSR.

METHODS

Patients who underwent RFA for colorectal liver metastases between 2005 and 2011, with FDG-PET follow-up within one year after treatment were included. Results of repeat FDG-PET scans were evaluated until a LSR was diagnosed. Results. One hundred-seventy scans were obtained for 79 patients (179 lesions), 57 scans (72%) were obtained within 6 months of treatment. Thirty patients developed local recurrence; 29 (97%) within 1 year. Only 2% of lesions of <1cm and 4% of <2 cm showed a LSR.

CONCLUSION

The majority of local site recurrences are diagnosed within one year after RFA. Regular follow-up using FDG PET-CT within this period is advised, so repeated treatment can be initiated. Rim-shaped uptake may be present until 4-6 months, complicating evaluation. The benefit in the follow-up of lesions <2 cm may be limited.

Optimizing the role of FDG PET-CT for potentially operable metastatic colorectal cancer

Recent treatment advances now allow a realistic chance of cure in selected patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Accurate pre-treatment staging is crucial to ensure appropriate management by identification of patients with more advanced disease who will not benefit from surgery. (18)Fluorine 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has a firmly established role in staging, restaging, and recurrence detection of a range of tumors. This article will review the role of PET-CT in patients with CRC with a particular emphasis on optimizing the technique in patients with potentially operable metastatic disease.

Positron emission tomography in malignancies of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract - indications and potential pitfalls

Abstract Malignancies of the hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) system are relatively common and generally characterized by a dismal prognosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique that has emerged as an important modality in oncological decision-making. The principal radiopharmaceutical in PET imaging is the glucose analog (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose, which is able to detect altered glucose metabolism in malignant tissue. PET is typically used in conjunction with computed tomography (CT), and previous studies have supported several uses of PET/CT in HPB malignancies, including staging, differential diagnostics and monitoring of treatment response and progress of disease. A review of PET/CT in the context of HPB malignancies will be presented, including indications and potential pitfalls.

Added value of FDG-PET imaging in the diagnostic workup for yttrium-90 radioembolisation in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases

OBJECTIVE

Yttrium-90 radioembolisation (Y90-RE) is recommended for unresectable, chemorefractory liver-dominant disease; however, the incidence of extrahepatic disease (EHD) is high. FDG-PET may have additional value to CT in demonstrating EHD. Our aim was to evaluate the added diagnostic value of FDG-PET to abdominal CT and study the influence of FDG-PET findings on treatment decisions.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) referred for Y90-RE were included. Patients who underwent both CT and FDG-PET in the diagnostic workup were selected. Imaging reports were scrutinised for documented sites of EHD, and changes of management due to FDG-PET findings were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were included. Findings on CT and FDG-PET matched in 20 patients (no EHD, n = 15; identical EHD, n = 5). In 4 patients, lesions detected on CT were not FDG-avid, and in 18 patients, FDG-PET showed more lesions than CT (P < 0.05). In 7/42 patients (17 %) a change of management was made based on the additional FDG-PET findings, i.e. exclusion from Y90-RE treatment (n = 6) and change in treatment plan (whole liver rather than segmental treatment, n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CRCLM referred for Y90-RE, FDG-PET showed significantly more EHD and led to a considerable change of management.

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

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

Clinical impact of FDG PET-CT in patients with potentially operable metastatic colorectal cancer

AIM

To assess the clinical impact of 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with potentially resectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and two patients with potentially resectable metastatic colorectal cancer underwent FDG PET-CT in addition to conventional imaging over an 18-month period. The findings were compared to conventional imaging, with histological or clinico-radiological validation. The impact on subsequent management was evaluated using information from clinico-radiological databases.

RESULTS

Of 102 patients (mean age 67 years, range 27-85 years), 94 had liver, five had isolated lung, and three had limited peritoneal metastases. In 31 patients (30%) PET-CT had a major impact on subsequent management, by correctly clarifying indeterminate lesions on conventional imaging as inoperable metastatic disease in 16 patients, detecting previously unsuspected metastatic disease in nine patients, identifying occult second primary tumours in three patients, and correctly down-staging three patients. PET-CT had a minor impact in 12 patients (12%), no impact in 49 cases (48%), and a potentially negative impact in 10 cases (10%). Following PET-CT, 36 (35%) patients were no longer considered for surgery. Of those remaining operative 45 of 66 (68%) underwent potentially curative metastatic surgery. In this cohort PET-CT saved 16 futile laparotomies.

CONCLUSION

FDG PET-CT has a valuable role in selected patients with metastatic colorectal cancer by improving staging accuracy and characterizing indeterminate lesions and helps triage patients to the appropriate treatment.

Shifting trends in liver-directed management of patients with colorectal liver metastasis: a population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

We sought to evaluate population-based temporal trends in perioperative management, as well as short- and long-term outcomes associated with the operative management of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

METHODS

Using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked data, we identified 2,121 patients with operatively managed CRLM between 1991 and 2006. Clinicopathologic data, trends in operative management, and survival were examined.

RESULTS

Preoperative evaluation included computed tomography (CT; 66%), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 5%), and positron emission tomography (PET; 2%) with a temporal increase in the use of all 3 modalities over time (all P < .05). Patients undergoing hepatectomy only (n = 1,267; 60%) decreased over time, whereas the use of ablation alone (n = 668; 32%) and combined resection plus ablation (n = 186; 9%) increased (all P < .05). The use of both preoperative (10% to 16%) and adjuvant chemotherapy (35% to 47%) increased over time (P < .05). There was a marked temporal increase in patient comorbidities (>3 comorbidities: 1991-1995, 3%; 2003-2006, 12%; P < .001); however, perioperative complications (63%) and 30-day mortality (3%) did not change over time (both P > .05); 90-day mortality decreased from 9% to 7% over the study period (P = .007). Overall the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals were 74%, 42%, and 28% with no improvement over time (P = .19). On multivariate analysis, synchronous disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.7) and use of ablation alone (HR, 1.2) were associated independently with a worse survival (both P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Most patients were evaluated with CT; PET was employed rarely. Although there was a temporal increase in chemotherapy utilization, only one half of patients received perioperative chemotherapy. Mortality associated with hepatic operations was low, but morbidity remained high with no temporal change despite an increased number of patient medical comorbidities.