The impact of multivisceral liver resection on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of Multivisceral Liver Resection (MLR) on the outcome of patients with Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) is unclear. The present systematic review aimed to compare patients with CRLM who underwent MLR versus standard hepatectomy regarding short- and long-term outcomes. MLR is a feasible procedure but has a higher risk of major complications. MLR did not negatively affect long-term survival, suggesting that an extended resection is an option for potentially curative treatment for selected patients with CRLM.

Rate of Curative Surgery in Real-world Patients with Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with FOLFOXIRI ± Bevacizumab: A Western Canadian Province Experience

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence from randomized trials suggests that FOLFOXIRI (fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) ± bevacizumab is associated with higher response rates, with the potential for conversion of unresectable to resectable disease in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, limited evidence is available on the efficacy and safety of this regimen in real-world patients with mCRC. The current study aims to evaluate the conversion rate and safety of FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab in real-world patients with unresectable mCRC.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicenter population-based cohort study, patients who were diagnosed with unresectable mCRC between January 2015 and December 2018 in Saskatchewan and received FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab were assessed. Kaplan-Meier survival methods and the log-rank test were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 28 eligible patients with a median age of 51 years (interquartile range 39-60) and a male:female ratio of 11:17 were identified; 39% had rectal cancer, 46% had extrahepatic disease, and 46% had bilobar liver metastases. Overall, 63% of the patients had a positive response to FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab and 53% underwent metastasectomy. Of all patients 60% had grade 3/4 toxicity and 32% required hospital admission. No treatment-related mortality was noted. After 4 years, 50% of the patients were alive. Median progression-free survival of patients who underwent surgery was 18 months (95% CI 11.3-24.7) versus 11 months (4-18.1) without surgery (p = 0.28). Median overall survival of patients with surgery was 33 months (17.5-48.5) versus 16 months (8.3-23.7) without surgery (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The current study suggests that FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab therapy in real-world patients with mCRC is associated with a high rate of conversion from unresectable to resectable metastatic disease. Patients with metastasectomy had better survival.

Combined liver and multivisceral resections: A comparative analysis of short and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

En bloc liver and adjacent organs resections are technically demanding procedures. Few case series and nonmatched comparative studies reported the outcomes of multivisceral liver resections (MLRs).

OBJECTIVES

To compare the short and long-term outcomes of patients submitted MLRs with those submitted to isolated hepatectomies.

METHODS

From a prospective database, a case-matched 1:2 study was performed comparing MLRs and isolated hepatectomy. Additionally, a risk analysis was performed to evaluate the association between MLRs and perioperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-three MLRs were compared with 106 matched controls. Patients undergoing MLRs had longer operative time (430 [320-525] vs 360 [270-440] minutes, P = .005); higher estimated blood loss (600 [400-800] vs 400 [100-600] mL; P = .011); longer hospital stay (8 [6-14] vs 7 [5-9] days; P = .003); and higher postoperative mortality (9.4% vs 1.9%, P = .042). Number of resected organs was not an independent prognostic factor for perioperative major complications (odds ratio [OR], 1 organ = 1.8 [0.54-6.05]; OR ≥ 2, organs = 4.0 [0.35-13.84]) or perioperative mortality (OR, 1, organ = 5.2 [0.91-29.51]; OR ≥ 2, organs = 6.5 [0.52-79.60]). No differences in overall (P = .771) and disease-free survival (P = .28) were observed.

CONCLUSION

MLRs are feasible with acceptable morbidity but relatively high perioperative mortality. MLRs did not negatively affect long-term outcomes.

Austrian consensus guidelines on imaging requirements prior to hepatic surgery and during follow-up in patients with malignant hepatic lesions

Rapid advances in imaging technology have improved the detection, characterization and staging of colorectal liver metastases, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. A variety of imaging modalities are available and play a pivotal role in the work-up of patients, particularly as imaging findings determine resectability. Surgery often represents the only measure that can render long-term survival possible. Imaging is also indispensable for the assessment of responses to neoadjuvant treatment and for the detection of recurrence. At a consensus meeting held in June 2017 in Vienna, Austria, Austrian experts in the fields of surgery and radiology discussed imaging requirements prior to and after hepatic surgery for malignant liver lesions. This consensus was refined by online voting on a total of 47 items. Generally, the degree of consensus was high. The recommendations relate to the type of preferred preoperative imaging modalities, technical settings with respect to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, use of contrast agents, reporting, postoperative follow-up, and long-term follow-up. Taking local resources into account, these consensus recommendations can be implemented in daily clinical practice at specialized centers as well as outpatient diagnostic institutes in Austria.

Multivisceral Resection for Locally Invasive Colorectal Liver Metastases: Outcomes of a Matched Cohort Analysis

Local invasion of adjacent viscera by colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is no longer considered an absolute contraindication to curative hepatic resection. A growing number of observational analyses have illustrated the feasibility of such resections; however, the evidence base is at best heterogeneous with a lack of evidence comparing similar patient groups. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of hepatectomy for CRLM when combined with other viscera and compare to a matched cohort of isolated hepatic resections.

METHODS

From 2005 to 2015, 523 patients underwent hepatic resection for CRLM at our institution, 19 of whom underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic resection. A 3: 1 matched cohort analysis was performed between those who underwent isolated hepatectomy (control group) and those who underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic resection (combined group). Clinicopathological data were reviewed along with 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, overall survival for the multivisceral cohort was compared to all other isolated hepatectomies over the same time period.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients underwent liver resection accompanied by either/or diaphragmatic resection (n = 13), major vein resection and reconstruction (n = 5), and visceral resection (n = 3). Maximum tumor size was significantly larger in the combined group (60.58 vs. 15.34 mm p < 0.0001). Postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups (p = 0.41). Following multivisceral resection, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 75, 56.6, and 25.7% respectively. Overall survival showed no significant difference between combined and control groups (p = 0.78). Similarly, when compared to the total cohort of isolated liver resections (n = 504), no significant difference in overall mortality was noted.

CONCLUSION

In patients presenting with concomitant CRLM and extrahepatic extension where R0 margins can be achieved, this present study supports the rationale to proceed to -surgery with comparable morbidity and mortality rates to -isolated hepatectomy.

Pathological diaphragmatic invasion by colorectal liver metastases is associated with RAS mutation, peritoneal recurrence and worse survival

BACKGROUND

Risk factors for pathological diaphragmatic invasion from colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and differences in recurrence patterns and survival between patients with true pathological diaphragmatic invasion versus inflammatory adhesions only remain poorly understood. This study aimed at identifying risk factors for and survival impact of pathological diaphragmatic invasion in patients with CRLM.

METHODS

Patients with CRLM who underwent hepatectomy with or without diaphragmatic resection from 1998 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence patterns were examined according to the presence or absence of pathological invasion.

RESULTS

Of 1860 patients, 70 underwent hepatectomy with diaphragmatic resection and 1799 had hepatectomy only. Among the patients with gross diaphragmatic involvement, 15 (21%) had pathological invasion, and 55 (79%) had inflammatory adhesion only. Multiple tumors (p = 0.019) and RAS mutation (p = 0.047) were significantly associated with pathological invasion. Pathological invasion was associated with a higher incidence of peritoneal recurrence (33% vs. 11%, p = 0.041), worse median RFS (6 months vs. 11 months, p = 0.21) and OS (26 months vs. 51 months, p = 0.046) compared to inflammatory adhesion.

CONCLUSION

Multiple tumors and RAS mutant were predictors for pathological diaphragmatic invasion, which was associated with a higher incidence of peritoneal recurrence and worse OS.

Resection of colorectal liver metastases and extra-hepatic disease: a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis of survival outcomes

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 9.7% of all cancers with 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year. 19-31% of CRC patients develop colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), and 23-38% develop extra-hepatic disease (EHD). The aim of this systematic review was to determine overall survival (OS) in patients resected for CRLM and known EHD.

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies reporting OS after resection for CRLM in the presence of EHD. Proportional meta-analyses and relative risk of death before five years were assessed between patient groups.

RESULTS

A total of 15,144 patients with CRLM (2308 with EHD) from 52 studies were included. Three and 5-year OS were 58% and 26% for lung, 37% and 17% for peritoneum, and 35% and 15% for lymph nodes, respectively. The combined relative risk of death by five years was 1.49 (95% CI = 1.34-1.66) for lung, 1.59 (95% CI = 1.16-2.17) for peritoneal and 1.70 (95% CI = 1.57-1.84) for lymph node EHD, in favour of resection in the absence of EHD.

CONCLUSION

This review supports attempts at R0 resection in selected patients and rejects the notion that EHD is an absolute contraindication to resection.

Clinical assessment before hepatectomy identifies high-risk patients

BACKGROUND

Liver resection is associated with significant morbidity, and assessment of risk is an important part of preoperative consultations. Objective methods exist to assess operative risk, including cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). Subjective assessment is also made in clinic, and patients perceived to be high-risk are referred for CPX at our institution. This article addresses clinicians' ability to identify patients with a higher risk of surgical complications after hepatectomy, using selection for CPX as a surrogate marker for increased operative risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospectively collected data on patients undergoing hepatectomy between February 2008 and November 2013 were retrieved and the cohort divided according to CPX referral. Complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system.

RESULTS

CPX testing was carried out before 101 of 405 liver resections during the study period. The median age was 72 and 64 in CPX and non-CPX groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The resection size was similar between the groups. No difference was noted for grade III complications between CPX and non-CPX tested-groups; however, 19 (18.8%) and 28 (9.2%) patients suffered grade IV-V complications, respectively (P = 0.009). There was no difference in long-term survival between groups (P = 0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

This study attempts to assess clinicians' ability to identify patients at greater risk of complications after hepatectomy. The confirmation that patients identified in this way are at greater risk of grade IV-V complications demonstrates the value of preoperative counseling. High-risk patients do not have worse long-term outcomes suggesting survival is determined by other factors, particularly disease recurrence.

Laparoscopic right hepatectomy combined with partial diaphragmatic resection for colorectal liver metastases: Is it feasible and reasonable?

BACKGROUND

The impact of diaphragmatic invasion in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) remains poorly evaluated. We aimed to evaluate feasibility and safety of laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) with or without diaphragmatic resection for CRLM.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2012, 52 patients underwent LRH for CRLM. Of them, 7 patients had combined laparoscopic partial diaphragmatic resection ("diaphragm" group). Data were retrospectively collected and short and long-term outcomes analyzed.

RESULTS

Operative time was lower in the control group (272 vs 345 min, P = .06). Six patients required conversion to open surgery. Blood loss and transfusion rate were similar. Portal triad clamping was used more frequently in the "diaphragm" group (42.8% vs 6.6%, P = .02). Maximum tumor size was greater in the "diaphragm" group (74.5 vs 37.1 mm, P = .002). Resection margin was negative in all cases. Mortality was nil and general morbidity similar in the 2 groups. Specific liver-related complications occurred in 2 patients in the "diaphragm" group and 17 in the control group (P = .69). Mean hospital stay was similar (P = 56). Twenty-two (42.3%) patients experienced recurrence. One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival after surgery in "diaphragm" and control groups were 69%, 34%, 34%, and 97%, 83%, 59%, respectively (P = .103). One- and 3-year disease-free survival after surgery in "diaphragm" and control groups were 57%, 47% and 75%, 54%, respectively (P = .310).

CONCLUSION

LRH with en-bloc diaphragmatic resection could be reasonably performed for selected patients in expert centers. Technical difficulties related to diaphragmatic invasion must be circumvented. Further experience must be gained to confirm our results.