Surgical treatment for colorectal liver metastasis

Abstract

Introduction: Liver is one of the most common sites of metastasis from colorectal cancer. Of all patients who undergo a curative resection for colorectal cancer, 25% will develop liver metastasis. Hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastasis results in improved survival. The aim of this study is to analyze the perioperative outcome and the prognostic factors for mortality and morbidity in liver metastasis. Material and Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2010, 38 patients underwent surgical treatment with curative intent for colorectal liver métastasés at 3-rd Surgical Clinic, Gastroenterology Institute, Cluj-Napoca hospital. A retrospective review of patients’ characteristics and various histopathological and surgical factors was performed. Results: Out of 38 patients, 14 (36.8%) were female and 24 (63.2%) were males. The overall mortality rate was 2.6% and the global morbidity was 13.2%. 76.3% of the tumors were located in one lobe, whereas 23.7% were located in both lobes. Major resections were performed in 5 cases, in 15 cases segmentectomy was the procedure of choice and metastasectomy (limited resection) was performed in 18 cases. Perioperative mortality and morbidity was not associated in our study with the intraoperative blood loss, extent of the resection, or localization of tumor (Chi square p>0.05 in all cases). Conclusion: In our study we found that surgical resection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer represents a safe procedure and should be the treatment of choice in such cases.