Determinants of Survival following Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

p = 0.0001), resected versus nonresected ( p < 0.0001), and tumor-free surgical margins versus positive margins ( p = 0.001). Surprisingly, the disease-free interval and the original stage of the primary tumor did not predict survival ( p = not significant). Other factors that had no influence on survival were type of resection, size and number of liver metastases, ABO blood group, and the number of perioperative blood transfusions. For those patients who underwent resection of unilobar metastases with tumor-free margins, the 5-year survival rate was 29% with a median survival of 35 months and eight survivors > 7 years. In addition, one patient with bilobar disease had survival > 7 years and five patients who had resection of hepatic metastases and extrahepatic cancer simultaneously had survival > 3 years. Our data support the concept that patients with unilobar metastatic disease who undergo surgical resection with tumor-free surgical margins can be afforded a significant opportunity at long-term survival with acceptable morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. Also, certain patients with bilobar or extrahepatic disease (or both) who undergo complete resection can enjoy a long-term survival. In these subgroups of patients resection should be considered on an individual basis.     

Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Prognostic Analysis of 34 Patients

Liver metastasis of breast cancer is considered a generalized disease, and surgical treatment is rarely discussed. Thirty-four patients who underwent 35 hepatectomies for liver metastases of breast cancer between 1985 and 2003 were analyzed. The median interval between the breast surgery and relapse in the liver was 1.9 years (0–20 years). The liver was the first site of recurrence in 25 patients. Fifteen clinicopathologic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses to predict survival after hepatic resection. No patients died because of the surgery. The median survival was 36 months (1 month to 20 years). The overall and disease-free 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy for breast metastases were 21% and 16%, respectively. Four patients survived more than 5 years. The presence of extrahepatic recurrence prior to hepatectomy was the only significant prognostic factor according to the analyses, and the 5-year survival rate of patients without extrahepatic disease was 31%. No patient who had hilar lymph node metastasis survived more than 5 years. In the absence of extrahepatic recurrence, surgical resection of liver metastasis from breast cancer can offer an acceptable prognosis and should not be avoided in selected patients.     

Up-front Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Results in Favorable Long-term Survival

Background

Hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRC) is best managed with a multimodal approach; however, the optimal timing of liver resection in relation to administration of perioperative chemotherapy remains unclear. Our strategy has been to offer up-front liver resection for patients with resectable hepatic metastases, followed by post–liver resection chemotherapy. We report the outcomes of patients based on this surgical approach.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing liver resection for CRC metastases over a 5-year period (2002–2007) was performed. Associations between clinicopathologic factors and survival were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazard method.

Results

A total of 320 patients underwent 336 liver resections. Median follow-up was 40 (range 8–80) months. The majority (n = 195, 60.9 %) had metachronous disease, and most patients (n = 286, 85 %) had a major hepatectomy (>3 segments). Thirty-six patients (11 %) received preoperative chemotherapy, predominantly for downstaging unresectable disease. Ninety-day mortality was 2.1 %, and perioperative morbidity occurred in 68 patients (20.2 %). Actual disease-free survival at 3 and 5 years was 46.2 % and 42 %, respectively. Actual overall survival (OS) at 3 and 5 years was 63.7 % and 55 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified four factors that were independently associated with differences in OS (hazard ratio; 95 % confidence interval): size of metastasis >6 cm (2.2; 1.3–3.5), positive lymph node status of the primary CRC (N1 (2.0; 1.0–3.8), N2 (2.4; 1.2–4.9)), synchronous disease (2.1; 1.3–3.5), and treatment with chemotherapy after liver resection (0.42; 0.23–0.75).

Conclusions

Up-front surgery for patients with resectable CRC liver metastases, followed by chemotherapy, can lead to favorable OS.     

Analysis of Prognostic Factors Influencing Long-term Survival After Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors associated with long-term outcome after liver resection for colorectal metastases. The retrospective analysis included 297 liver resections for colorectal metastases. Methods The variables considered included disease stage, differentiation grade, site and nodal metastasis of the primary tumor, number and diameter of the lesions, time from primary cancer to metastasis, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, adjuvant chemotherapy, type of resection, intraoperative ultrasonography and portal clamping use, blood loss, transfusions, complications, hospitalization, surgical margins status, and a clinical risk score (MSKCC-CRS). Results The univariate analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in overall 5-year survival rates depending on the differentiation grade, preoperative CEA >5 and >200 ng/ml, diameter of the lesion >5 cm, time from primary tumor to metastases >12 months, MSKCC-CRS >2. The multivariate analysis showed three independent negative prognostic factors: G3 or G4 grade, CEA >5 ng/ml, and high MSKCC-CRS. Conclusions No single prognostic factor proved to be associated with a sufficiently disappointing outcome to exclude patients from liver resection. However, in the presence of some prognostic factors (G3–G4 differentiation, preoperative CEA >5 ng/ml, high MSKCC-CRS), enrollment of patients in trials exploring new adjuvant treatments is suggested to improve the outcome after surgery.     

Value of Nonpalliative Resection as a Therapeutic and Pre-Emptive Operation for Metastatic Gastric Cancer

Introduction  The value of nonpalliative resection in metastatic gastric cancer has not been clearly defined. Methods  The survival and incidence of subsequent palliative interventions in 72 patients with metastatic gastric cancer who underwent nonpalliative resection were retrospectively compared with those of 56 patients that did not undergo resection. Results  The median survival of patients who underwent resection was greater than that of patients who did not (12.0 months versus 4.8 months; p = 0.000). However, more patients in the resection group had a good performance status, no neighboring organ invasion, and only one metastatic site, and this might have caused the survival difference. Adjuvant chemotherapy was the only independent predictor of survival after resection. Incidences of subsequent palliative procedures were not significantly different in the two study groups (43.1% in resection group versus 39.3% in the nonresection group; p = 0.668). However, the mean interval between operation and the first procedure was significantly different in the two groups (287.3 days in the resection group versus 164.1 days in the nonresection group; p = 0.032). Conclusions  The survival of the patients that underwent nonpalliative resection was poor, and nonpalliative gastrectomy did not decrease requirements for subsequent palliative procedures. Only a few patients with a favorable response to adjuvant chemotherapy survived longer after resection and benefited from a longer symptom-free period until the subsequent palliative procedures were required. Nonpalliative resection should be reserved for selected patients based on performance status, resection feasibilities and metastatic tumor loads, and adjuvant chemotherapy should be combined as part of multimodality therapy.     

胃间质瘤的手术治疗

目的探讨胃间质瘤的手术治疗方法及临床病理特点。方法回顾性分析经手术治疗的78例胃间质瘤患者的临床和病理资料,其中男34例,女44例。手术完全切除76例,其中胃楔形切除39例,远端胃大部切除术17例,近端胃大部切除术20例;姑息性切除2例。结果肿瘤平均直径5.5cm,其中<5cm者39例,5~10cm者27例,>10cm者12例。病变位于胃窦部12例,胃体部30例,胃底部36例。胃周淋巴结转移2例(2.6%)。免疫组化结果:CD117阳性74例(94.9%),CD34阳性61例(78.2%),SMA阳性29例(37.2%),Desmin阳性8例(10.3%),S-100阳性8例(10.3%)。72例(92.3%)获随访,平均56.1(3~168)个月,术后5年生存率为70.3%,术后复发转移11例(15.3%),术后复发转移者再次手术治疗6例,再次手术切除可延长患者生命。结论胃间质瘤的治疗以手术为主,术中应注意完整切除和防止肿瘤破裂。     

Comparison Between Perioperative and Postoperative Chemotherapy After Potentially Curative Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background

Additional chemotherapy in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) likely improves outcomes. Whether to administer chemotherapy as perioperative or adjuvant therapy remains controversial. We analyzed outcomes between these two treatment strategies.

Methods

Patients were identified from a prospective CRLM database and studied retrospectively. Patients with extrahepatic disease or initially unresectable CRLM were excluded. Only patients receiving oxaliplatin- and/or irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimens were included. Univariate and Cox regression models were developed for recurrence and death.

Results

Between 1998 and 2007, 236 patients (57.4 %) in the adjuvant group and 175 patients (42.6 %) in the perioperative group were compared. The perioperative group was younger and had more tumors, shorter disease-free intervals, and higher clinical risk scores (CRS), but had smaller tumors. The overall survival was similar between the groups (perioperative 72.9 months vs. adjuvant 71.5 months; p = 0.48). When the comparison was adjusted for other clinicopathologic factors and CRS, the differences remained insignificant. On univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the groups (perioperative 17.2 months vs. adjuvant 27.4 months, p = 0.036). However, when the recurrence-free survival was adjusted for other clinicopathologic factors and the CRS, differences were not significant.

Conclusions

The timing of additional chemotherapy for resectable CRLM is not associated with outcomes. Trials comparing adjuvant and perioperative chemotherapy would have to be powered for small differences in outcome.     

External Validation of Two Nomograms for Predicting Patient Survival After Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background  

Two nomograms are available for predicting patient survival after hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). However, they have not been externally validated using other databases, and so their universal applicability has not been established. We aimed to examine the validity of these nomograms for predicting patient survival after hepatic resection for metastatic CRC in different institutions.     

En Bloc Aortic Resection for Bulky Metastatic Germ Cell Tumors

Between 1989 and 1993, 97 patients with stages B3 and/or C nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testes underwent induction chemotherapy followed by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Of these patients 6 (ages 22 to 41 years) had gross extension of tumor into the aortic adventitia at operation, which necessitated en bloc aortic and, on 3 occasions, iliac artery resection for complete tumor removal. Aortic continuity was restored by a woven Dacron tube or bifurcated graft. All grafts were covered with omentum. There were no postoperative vascular complications. Pathological study of the residual retroperitoneal disease demonstrated that 2 patients had mature teratoma only, 2 had mature teratoma with occasional nests of immature teratoma and 2 had residual yolk sac, embryonal or choriocarcinoma elements. The latter 3 patients underwent postoperative salvage chemotherapy with varying combinations of bleomycin, etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin. At 4 to 55 months 4 patients were disease-free, while 2 died of metastatic disease. No problems related to the aortic reconstruction have occurred. This small experience demonstrates that, if necessary, complete surgical en bloc extirpation of bulky metastatic germ cell tumors and the aorta/iliac artery can be performed safely with a satisfactory long-term outcome.     

Outcome of Patients with Known Metastatic Gastric Cancer Undergoing Resection with Therapeutic Intent

Background Metastatic gastric cancer has a dismal prognosis. We identified a subset of patients where surgical resection with therapeutic intent was undertaken in the setting of known metastatic disease. Methods Review of a prospectively maintained database of gastric cancer patients at a single institution over a 19-year period was performed. Results Thirty-seven patients with metastatic disease known prior to resection with therapeutic intent were identified out of 3384 patients with gastric cancer (1%). Twelve patients had positive peritoneal cytology as the only evidence of metastasis, 21 had gross metastasis limited to peritoneal surfaces, one had peritoneal and ovarian metastasis, one had liver metastasis, one had retropancreatic lymph node metastasis, and one had a malignant pleural effusion. Thirty-six patients (97%) received chemotherapy prior to resection, and 30 (81%) received postoperative chemotherapy. The median time from diagnosis to resection was 4.5 months (range 1–22) in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy. Median survival was 12 months after resection with no three-year survivors. Predictors of worse prognosis were cytologic or pathologic evidence of persistent metastatic disease at the time of resection or at laparoscopy within six weeks of resection (P < .01), N3 disease (P = .03), and total gastrectomy or additional organ resection (P = .04). Metastatic disease as evidenced by cytology only was not associated with improved prognosis. Conclusions Highly selected patients with metastatic gastric cancer undergoing surgical resection with therapeutic intent have a relatively poor prognosis. Persistent detectable metastatic disease after preoperative chemotherapy portends a particularly poor prognosis.     

Pulmonary Resection for Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary metastasectomy has become the standard therapy for various metastatic malignancies to the lungs; however, little data have been available about lung metastasectomy for head and neck cancers. To confirm a role for resection of pulmonary metastases for such tumors, we reviewed our institutional experience. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2007, 20 patients with pulmonary metastases from head and neck cancers underwent complete pulmonary resection. All patients had obtained or had obtainable locoregional control of their primary head and neck cancers. Various perioperative variables were investigated retrospectively to analyze the prognostic factors for overall survival and disease-free survival after metastasectomy. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients, 10 (50%) had squamous cell carcinoma, 7 (35%) had adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 3 had miscellaneous carcinomas. The median disease-free interval from the time of treatment of the head and neck primary cancers to the development of pulmonary metastases was 27 months. Overall survival rate after metastasectomy was 59.4% at 5 years and 47.5% at 10 years, respectively. Disease-free survival rate was 25.0% at 5 years after pulmonary resection. A disease-free interval equal to or longer than 12 months was a significantly favorable prognostic factor for both overall survival and disease-free survival (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma and male sex showed a worse overall survival (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: The current practice of pulmonary metastasectomy for head and neck cancers in our institution was well justified. A disease-free interval equal to or longer than 12 months, nonsquamous cell carcinoma, and female sex might be relevant to a better prognosis.     

Prognostic Factors for Survival in Patients with Hepatic Recurrence After Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer

Background  This study was done to evaluate the prognostic factors that may affect the survival of patients with recurrent hepatic metastasis after curative resection of gastric cancer. Methods  We reviewed the medical records of 73 patients with recurrent hepatic metastasis after surgical treatment of gastric cancer from January 1995 to December 2005. Prognostic factors were classified into three groups: primary tumor factors, recurrent hepatic factors, and treatment factors. The prognostic values of these factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses by the log-rank test in the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox’s proportional hazard model. Results  The overall median survival rate of the 73 study patients was 20.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.4–24.6 months]. The median survival rate after diagnosis of recurrent hepatic metastasis was 5 months (95% CI 3.5–6.5 months). Univariate analysis showed that the favorable prognostic factors were stage I and II among the primary tumor factors, no extrahepatic metastasis and unilobar distribution among the recurrent hepatic factors, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) ± chemotherapy among the treatment factors when operative treatment had been excluded. The independent favorable prognostic factors revealed by the multivariate analysis were no extrahepatic metastasis and RFA ± chemotherapy. The median survival rate of patients who had two favorable prognostic factors was 27 months (95% CI 0–66.38 months). Conclusions  Improvement in the survival rate can be expected with RFA ± chemotherapy for patients with recurrent gastric cancer in the liver without extrahepatic metastasis.     

Expanding the Indications for Laparoscopic Gastric Resection for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Objective:

Laparoscopic resection of large gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has been controversial. This generally has been limited to small lesions. We hypothesize that laparoscopic mobilization and resection using, in some cases, extracorporeal anastomosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an oncologically safe alternative to open surgery even when tumors are large.

Methods:

Four patients underwent a laparoscopic approach for gastric GIST tumors >2 cm at Methodist Dallas Medical Center over a 6-month period. Patient demographics, operative findings, postoperative course, and pathologic characteristics were examined.

Results:

The mean age in this patient group was 58 years (range, 36 to 77). Gastrointestinal bleeding and dyspepsia were the most common symptoms. Seventy-five percent of the patients were females. Mean tumor size was 10 cm (range, 2.5 to 20) with distribution in the stomach as follows: 75% greater curvature and 25% antrum. Tumors were removed by wedge, sleeve, and partial gastrectomies. Two of these tumors showed a high grade and the other 2 a moderate grade of differentiation. The number of mitoses was <5/50 HPF in all the tumors. No intraoperative spillage occurred in any patients, even with the largest tumor (20 cm). Importantly, all tumors were excised with a negative gross and microscopic margin. Average length of stay was 4 days. No patients required reoperation, and there were no complications postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Minimally invasive assisted approaches may be an option to treat large GIST tumors. Obeying principles of minimal touch, no spillage, and obtaining a negative margin, a safe operation with a laparoscopic approach is feasible, even in giant tumors. The large size of diagnosed GIST tumors should not preclude a minimally invasive approach.     

Synchronous Rectal and Hepatic Resection of Rectal Metastatic Disease

Background  

The objectives were to determine the feasibility of combined rectal and hepatic resections and analyze the disease-free survival and overall survival.     

Simultaneous Laparoscopy-Assisted Resection for Rectal and Gastric Cancer

Laparoscopy-assisted surgery for either rectal or gastric cancer has been increasingly performed. However, simultaneous laparoscopy-assisted resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is rarely reported in the literature. In our study, 3 cases of patients who received simultaneous laparoscopy-assisted resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer were recorded. The results showed that all 3 patients recovered well, with only 253 minutes of mean operation time, 57 mL of intraoperative blood loss, 5 cm of assisted operation incision, 4 days to resume oral intake, 12 days'' postoperative hospital stay, and no complication or mortality. No recurrence or metastasis was found within the follow-up period of 22 months. When performed by surgeons with plentiful experience in laparoscopic technology, simultaneous laparoscopy-assisted resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is safe and feasible, with the benefits of minimal trauma, fast recovery, and better cosmetic results, compared with open surgery.     

The Impact of Primary Tumor Location on Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colon Cancer

Background

The impact of primary tumor location on overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and long-term outcomes has not been well established in patients undergoing potentially curative resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods

A single-institution database was queried for initial resections for CRLM 1992–2004. Primary tumor location determined by chart review (right = cecum to transverse; left = splenic flexure to sigmoid). Rectal cancer (distal 16 cm), multiple primaries, and unknown location were excluded. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression methods were used. Cure was defined as actual 10-year survival with either no recurrence or resected recurrence with at least 3 years of disease-free follow-up.

Results

A total of 907 patients were included with a median follow-up of 11 years; 578 patients (64%) had left-sided and 329 (36%) right-sided primaries. Median OS for patients with a left-sided primary was 5.2 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6–6.0) versus 3.6 years (95% CI 3.2–4.2) for right-sided (p = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio for right-sided tumors was 1.22 (95% CI 1.02–1.45, p = 0.028) after adjusting for common clinicopathologic factors. Median RFS was marginally different stratified by primary location (1.3 vs. 1.7 years; p = 0.065). On multivariable analysis, location of primary was not significantly associated with RFS (p = 0.105). Observed cure rates were 22% for left-sided and 20% for right-sided tumors.

Conclusions

Among patients undergoing resection of CRLM, left-sided primary tumors were associated with improved median OS. However, long-term survival and recurrence-free survival were not significantly different stratified by primary location. Patients with left-sided primary tumors displayed a prolonged clinical course suggestive of more indolent biology.