The role of thoracotomy in the management of pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma.

Thirty-three patients over a 21-year period underwent thoracotomy for resection of suspected pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma. Eleven patients were found to have nonmalignant disease (Group 1); 10 were found to have unresectable disease (Group 2); and 12 were rendered disease-free (Group 3). Of the patients found to have melanoma, 20 of 22 received post-operative chemotherapy. The median survival of the patients in Group 2 was 10.5 months (3 to 20 months); in Group 3 it was 12 months (3 to 35 months). There were no 5-year survivors. No factors distinguished the three groups preoperatively. Surgical resection still offers the greatest chance for long-term survival, based on reports of patients in the literature who have survived longer than 5 years following resection of pulmonary metastases from melanoma. Thoracotomy is especially useful for staging purposes in those patients found to have no metastatic disease.     

Surgical resection for metastatic melanoma to the liver: the John Wayne Cancer Institute and Sydney Melanoma Unit experience

HYPOTHESIS: Metastatic melanoma to the liver is not incurable; complete surgical resection can achieve long-term survival in selected patients. BACKGROUND: Metastases to the liver are diagnosed in 10% to 20% of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV melanoma. Surgical resection has not been generally accepted as a therapeutic option, as most patients will have other sites of disease that limit their survival to a median of only 4 to 6 months. However, there is little information on outcomes following resection in those patients with disease limited to the liver. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of the prospective melanoma databases at the John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, Calif, and the Sydney Melanoma Unit, Sydney, Australia, identified 1750 patients with hepatic metastases, of whom 34 (2%) underwent exploration with intent to resect the metastases. Prognostic factors within the group of patients who underwent resection were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis, and median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. RESULTS: Of 34 patients undergoing exploratory celiotomy, 24 (71%) underwent hepatic resection and 10 (29%) underwent exploration but not resection. Eighteen patients (75%) underwent complete surgical resection, while the remaining 6 underwent palliative or debulking procedures with incomplete resection. The operative resections included lobectomy (n=14), segmentectomy (4), nonanatomic resection (5), and extended lobectomy (1). The median number of resected lesions was 1, and median lesion size was 5 cm (range, 0.7-22 cm). The median disease-free interval between initial diagnosis of melanoma and development of hepatic metastases was 58 months (range, 0-264 months). Median DFS and OS estimates in the 24 patients who underwent surgical resection were 12 months (range, 0-147 months) and 28 months (range, 2-147 months), respectively. Five-year DFS and OS in this group were 12% and 29%. Macroscopically, complete resection of disease (P =.001) and histologically negative resection margins (P =.03) significantly improved DFS by univariate analysis. Patients rendered surgically free of disease also tended to have improved OS (P =.06). Median OS was 28 months for patients who underwent surgical resection compared with 4 months for patients who underwent exploration only (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Resection of metastatic melanoma to the liver may improve DFS and OS in selected patients, similar to resection of other metastatic sites. Therefore, patients with limited metastatic sites, including the liver, who can be rendered free of disease should be considered for complete surgical resection, as their prognosis is otherwise dismal.     

The role of resection in the treatment of pulmonary metastases from Ewing's sarcoma

We have investigated the role of resection in the treatment of patients with isolated pulmonary metastases from Ewing's sarcoma. In a retrospective review, 19 patients with the diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma treated at the National Cancer Institute from 1965 to 1985 who underwent chest exploration for resection of pulmonary nodules were evaluated. Ten patients (53%) were made disease free by resection of pulmonary metastases, six patients (32%) were found to have unresectable disease, and three patients (16%) were found to have benign pulmonary disease. The actuarial 5 year survival rate of the 10 patients successfully made disease free by resection was 15%, and the median survival of this group was 28 months. In contrast, the median survival of the six patients not made disease free was 12 months, and no patient with residual disease was alive 22 months after thoracotomy (p2 = 0.0047). There were no postoperative deaths and only three minor postoperative complications for 25 operative procedures. Various prognostic variables were analyzed to determine their influence on postmetastasectomy survival. There was no difference in postmetastasectomy survival between patients who underwent resection of synchronous versus metachronous pulmonary metastases (p2 = 0.90). Patients who underwent resection of fewer than four malignant nodules had a significantly longer postmetastasectomy disease-free survival (p2 = 0.0019) and overall survival (p2 = 0.06) than those undergoing resection of four or more nodules. Patients who underwent resection of metastases that developed during chemotherapy had a significantly shorter postmetastasectomy survival that those who underwent resection of metastases that developed after chemotherapy (p2 = 0.0295). Our data show that selected patients with Ewing's sarcoma metastatic to the lungs may benefit from an aggressive surgical approach. Also, a significant proportion of these patients will have benign pulmonary disease and can thus avoid additional intensive systemic therapy.     

Thoracotomy for metastatic malignant melanoma of the lung.

The outcome of 29 patients who underwent lung resection for treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma from January 1976 to November 1988 was studied. Twenty-two patients underwent total resection for cure of all apparent metastatic disease, whereas seven patients did not undergo total resection. Of the 22 patients who underwent curative resection, the median survival was 11 months, with a 2-year survival of 13.6% and a 5-year survival of 4.5%. Four patients who underwent curative resection are currently alive and free of disease, with one patient surviving more than 10 years. The patients who underwent palliative resection had a median survival of 5 months, only one patient living longer than 10 months. The difference in survival of the patients who underwent curative resection compared with palliative resection was statistically significant. The thickness of the primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, the presence of regional lymph node metastases, the disease-free interval from primary diagnosis to metastatic pulmonary disease, and whether one or two metastatic nodules were removed during curative lung resection were not statistically significant in altering survival. These results demonstrate that although prolonged survival for metastatic melanoma is rare, lung resection in selected patients may be associated with long-term survival.     

Improved survival after resection of pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma

The value of resecting pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma was retrospectively examined. Between 1981 and 1989, 56 patients (35 men and 21 women with a mean age of 49 years) had 65 pulmonary resections for histologically proven metastatic melanoma after treatment of the primary tumor. In patients undergoing thoracotomy, 50% (28/56) had pulmonary metastases as the initial site of recurrence. Twenty-eight patients (50%) had local-regional recurrence before the development of lung metastases. Eight lobectomies, two segmentectomies, and 55 wedge excisions were done. Fifty-four patients (54/56, 96%) underwent complete resection, and there were no operative deaths. The postthoracotomy actuarial survival was 25% at 5 years (median interval, 18 months). Location of the primary tumor, histology, thickness, Clark level, local-regional lymph node metastases, or type of resection was not associated with improved survival. Patients without regional nodal metastases before thoracotomy had a median survival of 30 months compared with 16 months for all others (p = 0.04). Patients with lung as the site of first recurrence had a median survival of 30 months compared with 17 months for patients with initial local-regional recurrence (p = 0.038, log-rank test). Despite systemic spread, patients with isolated pulmonary metastases from melanoma may benefit from metastasectomy.     

Long-term survival after resection of pulmonary metastases from carcinoma of the breast.

Resection of isolated pulmonary metastases may yield improved survival in select patients. Between 1981 and 1991, 44 women (median age, 55 years) with a history of breast cancer underwent 47 thoracotomies with no operative deaths and only three minor postoperative complications (3/47, 6.4%). Confirmation of the metastatic origin of the lung lesion was made by direct histological comparison with the primary. Three patients had benign nodules and were excluded, and 4 patients had less than complete resection at thoracotomy. The median survival after thoracotomy of the remaining 37 patients with completely resected metastases was 47 +/- 5.5 months, and their actuarial 5-year survival was 49.5%. Patients with a disease-free interval of longer than 12 months had a longer survival (median survival, 82 +/- 6 months; 5-year survival, 57%) than patients with a disease-free interval of 12 months or less (median survival, 15 +/- 3.6 months; 5-year survival, 0%) (p = 0.004). Patients with estrogen receptor-positive status (n = 14) tended to have longer survival after resection than patients with estrogen receptor-negative status (n = 15) (median survival, 81 +/- 9 months versus 23 +/- 6 months, respectively; p = 0.098). Other clinical variables analyzed did not predict survival after thoracotomy. We conclude that resection of pulmonary metastases in patients with breast cancer can be done safely and may result in long-term survival for a substantial number of patients. Patients with a disease-free interval of longer than 12 months have an excellent prognosis after complete resection.     

Surgical management of melanoma of the gallbladder: a report of 13 cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Melanoma has the potential to spread to virtually any organ, including the gallbladder. The role of intervention in this rare entity must be based on a thorough appreciation of the underlying disease biology. METHODS: We present a review of all patients treated for gallbladder melanoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between 1991 and 2003. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 13 patients with melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder. The median survival was 12 months following the diagnosis, and only 1 patient survived more than 42 months. Factors associated with improved outcome included symptomatic metastases and metastatic disease confined to the gallbladder (P < .05). Cholecystectomy led to the resolution of right upper quadrant pain in all patients for the duration of their survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder, overall survival is determined more by the biology of the disease than treatment. In the presence of symptoms, cholecystectomy is often effective palliation in carefully selected patients.     

The role of surgery in the treatment of colorectal metastases from primary skin melanoma

Aim The study assessed the role of colorectal surgery in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and identified patients who can most benefit from surgical resection. Method A retrospective analysis was made of 34 consecutive patients with skin melanoma who underwent surgical resection of large bowel metastasis. Results The median disease‐free interval between diagnosis of the primary and metastatic melanoma was 24 (7–98) months. Nine (27%) patients underwent emergency surgery for obstruction and 25 (73%) had an elective procedure. Resection with curative intent was performed in 14 (41%) and palliative resection in 20 (59%) patients. There was no postoperative mortality and morbidity occurred in 9%. The median survival following surgery was 11.5 (4–68) months. The 1‐, 2‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 50%, 32% and 17% respectively. Median survival was significantly increased in patients without extra‐abdominal metastases, with no evidence of non‐large‐bowel metastases, if the disease‐free interval was longer than 24 months and when curative resection was performed. In multivariate analysis, an apparently complete or palliative resection and the absence or presence of extra‐abdominal metastases were the most important prognostic factors. Conclusion An aggressive surgical approach to large bowel metastatic melanoma results in good palliation and effective relief of symptoms with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Twenty years' experience with pulmonary metastasectomy.

From January 1969 through December 1989, 63 patients had 69 operations for pulmonary metastases. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 75 years; there were 36 men and 27 women. Metastasectomy was accomplished through a thoracotomy incision in 59 cases (5 staged, bilateral), and median sternotomy was used in 10 instances. Wedge resection was performed in 54 patients, with segmentectomy in 2, lobectomy in 12, and pneumonectomy in 1. There were no operative deaths. Multiple metastases were present in 29 patients, and a single metastasis in 34. Follow-up ranges from 2 to 204 months (mean = 42 months). Thirty-eight patients remain alive; thirty are free of disease and eight have developed other metastases. Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 40 (CL [confidence limits] 49,31), 36 (CL 44,26), and 24 (CL 35,13) per cent, respectively. Mean actuarial survival is 84 months, and median survival is 58 months. There is no difference in survival whether metastases were single or multiple. Survival is significantly less in groups with primary sarcoma and melanoma (P = .012). While pulmonary metastases may be a manifestation of terminal disease, metastasectomy has an important role in the multidisciplinary management of selected patients when metastatic disease is confined to the lung. Prolonged survival may be achieved in many patients.     

Selected Patients with Metastatic Melanoma May Benefit from Liver Resection

Background In the last few years there has been expanding use of hepatic resection for non-colorectal metastases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the experience of liver resection for patients with metastatic melanoma. Methods Eighteen patients with metastatic melanoma were explored for possible surgical resection. All patients fitted the following criteria: absence of extra-hepatic disease after evaluation with CT/MRI and FDG-PET scans; disease-free interval longer than 24 months after the resection of the primary melanoma; presumed completely resectable lesions; absence of clinical co-morbidities. Results Liver resection was performed in 10 patients; 8 out of 18 presented with irresectable tumors and/or peritoneal metastases and were not operated. One patient presented with postoperative biliary fistula and was conservatively managed. No other complications or postoperative mortality were observed. After a mean follow-up of 25.4 months, 5 patients are alive and without evidence of recurrence. Overall median survival was 22 months; overall survival and disease-free survival were 70% and 50% respectively. Conclusions Resection of liver metastases from melanoma in a selected group of patients may increase survival. Exploratory laparoscopy should be included in the preoperative armamentarium of diagnostic tools.     

Interdisciplinary concepts and long-term results after surgery of pulmonary metastases

From January 1976 to December 1988, 338 patients with pulmonary metastases underwent 376 resections. For 26 patients with recurrent disease a second or repeated thoracotomy was necessary. The operative mortality was for isolated lesions under 1%, for multiple bilateral nodules 3.8%. A parenchymal saving resection was performed, except for metastases from colorectal carcinoma, who often involved the bronchopulmonary lymphatic nodules. In these cases (30%) a segmentectomy or lobectomy was indicated. The five-year survival rates was significantly favorable for patients with isolated lesions, specially for late uterine metastases (57%), late mammary metastases (45%) and head and neck metastases (60%). The adjuvant hormones substitution and chemotherapy for multiple uterine and mammary metastases leaded to favorable results (prolonged median survival of 18 months). The indication for resection of multiple ipsilateral or bilateral lesions from testicular cancer, soft tissue and osteogenic sarcomas were recommended only when there was no response or partial response to the chemotherapy. The five-year survival was 46%, 27% and 17% approximately. The disease-free interval, location of the pulmonary lesions and the stage of primary cancer had not influenced on post-thoracotomy survival. The metastatic route of primary cancer, caval or portal route, size and number of metastases and the tumor doubling time was significantly associated with postoperative survival.     

The role of abdominal resectional surgery in metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience to determine the role of resectional surgery in metastatic melanoma to the abdomen. METHOD: An observational study of 25 patients at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne from 1997 to 2005. RESULTS: The median survival after abdominal resectional surgery was 8.3 (range 0.4-41.1) months. Fourteen patients who underwent resection with curative intent (extra-abdominal disease controlled and complete macroscopic clearance of abdominal disease) had improved survival compared with 11 patients who underwent palliative resection (12 month survival, 89 vs 10%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Survival was also superior in patients with up to two metastases compared with more than two (P = 0.0001) and in patients with serum albumin of at least 35 g/L (P = 0.0031). Intent of surgery (curative vs palliative) was the only factor significant on multivariate analysis (P = 0.001). Of patients with preoperative symptoms, 87% had resolution of these symptoms. Operative morbidity was 12%, and 30-day mortality was 4%. CONCLUSIONS: In a highly selected group of patients with intra-abdominal melanoma metastases, resection of intra-abdominal metastases with curative intent resulted in prolonged survival compared with patients who underwent palliative resection. Those who underwent palliative resection had good relief of symptoms with minimal morbidity.     

Analysis of prognostic factors in patients undergoing resection of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcomas

The selection of objective criteria that can reliably predict survival in patients undergoing resection of pulmonary metastases remains controversial. Between 1974 and 1982, 487 patients with soft tissue sarcomas presented to the National Cancer Institute. Eighty patients underwent thoracotomy for putative metastases and 67 patients had histologically proved pulmonary metastases. The 3 year tumor-free survival rate was 30% by actuarial analysis. Patients with resectable metastases had significantly prolonged post-thoracotomy survival compared to those patients with unresectable metastases. The most significant preoperative predictors of survival were the tumor doubling time, the number of metastases on preoperative linear chest tomograms, and the disease-free interval. Patients with a tumor doubling time of 20 days or more had a significantly longer post-thoracotomy survival (22 months median) than patients with a tumor doubling time of less than 20 days (6 months median). Those patients with four nodules or less on preoperative tomograms had significantly longer post-thoracotomy survival times (23 months median) than those patients with more than four nodules (6 months median). Patients with a disease-free interval of more than 12 months had a longer post-thoracotomy survival (32 months median) than patients with a disease-free interval of 12 months or less (10 months median). Combining these three prognostic factors significantly increased the predictive ability of this model. These criteria provide an accurate and rapid method to identify preoperatively those patients who will maximally benefit from resection of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcomas.     

A Multifactorial Analysis of Melanoma: III. Prognostic Factors in Melanoma Patients with Lymph Node Metastases (Stage II)

Twelve prognostic features of melanoma were examined in a series of 185 patients with nodal metastases (Stage II), who underwent surgical treatment at our institution during the past 20 years. Forty-four per cent of the patients presented with synchronous nodal metastases (substage IIA), 44% of the patients had delayed nodal metastases (substage IIB), and 12% of the patients had nodal metastases from an unknown primary site (substage IIC). The patients with IIB (delayed) metastases had a better overall survival rate than patients with IIA (synchronous) metastases, when calculated from the time of diagnosis. These differences could be explained on the basis of tumor burden at the time of initial diagnosis (microscopic for IIB patients versus macroscopic for IIA patients). Once nodal metastases became evident in IIB patients, their survival rates were the same as for substage IIA patients, when calculated from the onset of nodal metastases. The survival rates for both subgroups was 28% at five years and 15% for ten years. Substage IIC patients (unknown 1° site) had better five-year survival rates (39%), but the sample size was small and the differences were not statistically significant. A multifactorial analysis was used to identify the dominant prognostic variables from among 12 clinical and pathologic parameters. Only two factors were found to independently influence survival rates: 1) the number of metastatic nodes (p = 0.005), and the presence or absence of ulceration (p = 0.0019). Additional factors considered that had either indirect or no influence on survival rates (p > 0.10) were: anatomic location, age, sex, remission duration, substage of disease, tumor thickness, level of invasion, pigmentation, and lymphocyte infiltration. All combinations of nodal metastases were analyzed from survival differences. The combination that showed the greatest differences was one versus two to four versus more than four nodes. Their five-year survival rates were 58%, 27% and 10%, respectively (p < 0.001). Ulceration of the primary cutaneous melanoma was associated with a <15% five-year survival rate, while nonulcerative melanomas had a 30% five-year survival rate (p < 0.001). The combination of ulceration and multiple metastatic nodes had a profound adverse effect on survival rates. While tumor thickness was the most important factor in predicting the risk of nodal metastases in Stage I patients (p < 10^-8), it had no predictive value on the patient's clinical course once nodal metastases had occurred (p = 0.507). The number of metastatic nodes and the presence of ulceration are important factors to account for when comparing surgical results, and when analyzing the efficacy of adjunctive systemic treatments.     

Surgical management of cerebral metastases from melanoma: outcome in 147 patients treated at a single institution over two decades

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to review the outcome of patients who underwent surgery for treatment of cerebral metastatic melanoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 147 patients with cerebral metastases from melanoma who were treated surgically at a single institution between 1979 and 1999. Almost all patients underwent postoperative wholebrain radiation therapy. The mean patient age was 53 years (range 17-76 years); 69% of patients were male. A single cerebral metastasis was identified in 84% of patients, although 56% had synchronous extracranial metastases. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 2% and neurological symptoms resolved or improved in 78% of patients. Recurrence of intracerebral disease was seen in 55% of patients and 26% died of intracerebral metastases. Twenty-four patients underwent reoperation for recurrent cerebral disease. The median survival duration from the time of surgery for all patients was 8.5 months; the 3- and 5-year survival rates were 9% and 5%, respectively. Factors that significantly influenced survival on univariate analysis were the number of cerebral metastases (p = 0.015), a macroscopically complete excision (p < 0.05), and reoperation for recurrence (p = 0.02). The presence of extracranial metastases did not significantly influence survival. On multivariate analysis only the number of cerebral metastases significantly affected survival (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: For the majority of patients with cerebral metastases from melanoma, surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy is a treatment option that improves neurological symptoms and produces minimal morbidity. Long-term survival (> 3 years) most likely occurs in patients with a single cerebral metastasis and no demonstrable extracranial disease. Reoperation for recurrent cerebral disease may be appropriate in selected cases.     

Value of therapeutic hyperthermic limb perfusion in advanced recurrent melanoma of the lower extremity

Twenty-six patients with advanced melanoma metastases confined to the lower extremity underwent 28 therapeutic limb perfusions without a major complication or treatment-related death. A complete response to treatment occurred in 21 patients (81 percent). Of 16 patients, response persisted until death in 13 and was noted at 75, 87, and 96 months follow-up in 3. In five patients, response lasted a median of 5 months (range 3 to 14 months), and repeat perfusion in two of these patients was not beneficial. Unfortunately, despite locoregional disease control, most patients died from distant metastases at a median of 15 months after treatment. In fact, regardless of response to perfusion, the 3 year survival rate of patients with advanced metastatic melanoma of the extremity was only 25 percent or less. Thus, although limb perfusion can be a safe and highly effective means of achieving locoregional disease control, there appears to be little survival benefit. Therefore, perfusion should be reserved for palliative treatment of selected patients with locally advanced melanoma.     

Reoperative pulmonary resection in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma

Resection of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma has been shown to be associated with a 3-year survival of 25% to 30%. The role of multiple resections for recurrent pulmonary metastases, however, has not been clearly defined. Since 1976, 43 patients have had two or more thoracic explorations for the purpose of resecting pulmonary metastases from adult soft tissue sarcoma at our institution. In 89 reexplorations, through either median sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy, the operative mortality was 0%, and 31 of the 43 patients (72%) could be rendered free of disease at the second thoracotomy. Median survival from the second thoracotomy for the patients with resectable disease was 25 months, whereas median survival of patients who had unresectable disease was 10 months. A disease-free interval between the first and second thoracotomies of greater than 18 months was associated with prolonged survival from the second thoracotomy. Owing to lack of other therapies with proven salvage efficacy and in the absence of randomized trials, repeated thoracotomies to render patients free of disease from pulmonary soft-tissue sarcoma metastases appear justified considering the potential survival benefit and low attendant risk.     

Metastatic melanoma to the lung: long-term results of surgical excision

The only long-term survivor of multiple bilateral pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma after staged thoracotomies has been described, and a series of 18 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for metastatic malignant melanoma at one clinic have been reviewed. Median survival was 16.5 months and the 5 year survival rate was 11.1 percent. Forty-four percent of the patients had multiple metastases and 11.1 percent had bilateral metastases. There was no correlation between length of survival and disease-free interval, number of metastases, or the presence of unilateral versus bilateral tumor nodules. Twenty-seven percent of the patients had more metastases found intraoperatively than suspected preoperatively. Unfavorable results occurred when the extent of the disease required pneumonectomy. The current literature has also been reviewed and arguments have been made to support the surgical approach to carefully selected patients with metastatic melanoma to the lung.     

Treatment with 5-Fluorouracil/Folinic Acid, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan Enables Surgical Resection of Metastases in Patients With Initially Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background The prognosis of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer might be improved if a radical surgical resection of metastases could be performed after a response to chemotherapy. Methods We treated 74 patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (not selected for a neoadjuvant approach) with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOXIRI and simplified FOLFOXIRI). Because of the high activity of these regimens (response rate, 72%), a secondary curative operation could be performed in 19 patients (26%). Results Four patients underwent an extended hepatectomy, nine patients underwent a right hepatectomy, three patients underwent a left hepatectomy, and three patients had a segmental resection. In five patients, surgical removal of extrahepatic disease was also performed. In seven patients, surgical resection was combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation. The median overall survival of the 19 patients who underwent operation is 36.8 months, and the 4-year survival rate is 37%. The median overall survival of the 34 patients who were responsive to chemotherapy, but who did not undergo operation, is 22.2 months (P = .0114). Conclusions The FOLFOXIRI regimens we studied have significant antitumor activity and allow a radical surgical resection of metastases in patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer not selected for a neoadjuvant approach and also those with extrahepatic disease. The median survival of patients with resected disease is promising.     

Does complete resection of melanoma metastatic to solid intra-abdominal organs improve survival?

Background:Patients with distant melanoma metastases have median survivals of 4 to 8 months. Previous studies have demonstrated improved survival after complete resection of pulmonary and hollow viscus gastrointestinal metastases. We hypothesized that patients with metastatic disease to intra-abdominal solid organs might also benefit from complete surgical resection.Methods:A prospectively acquired database identified patients treated for melanoma metastatic to the liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, or a combination of these from 1971 to 2010434_2001_Article_658. The primary intervention was complete or incomplete surgical resection of intra-abdominal solid-organ metastases, and the main outcome measure was postoperative overall survival (OS). Disease-free survival (DFS) was a secondary outcome measure.Results:Sixty patients underwent adrenalectomy, hepatectomy, splenectomy, or pancreatectomy. Median OS was significantly improved after complete versus incomplete resections, but median OS after complete resection was not significantly different for single-site versus synchronous multisite metastases. The 5-year survival in the group after complete resection was 24%, whereas in the incomplete resection group, there were no 5-year survivors. Median DFS after complete resection was 15 months. Of note, the 2-year DFS after complete resection was 53% for synchronous multi-site metastases versus 26% for single-site metastases.Conclusions:In highly selected patients with melanoma metastatic to intra-abdominal solid organs, aggressive attempts at complete surgical resection may improve OS. It is important that the number of metastatic sites does not seem to affect the OS after complete resection.