Liver surgery: what is feasible?

BACKGROUND: Bilobar hepatic metastases, a small residual liver volume, de-novo and recurrent lesions, simultaneous pulmonary metastases and infiltration of vascular structures are often limiting factors in the surgical treatment of primary and secondary liver tumors. Nevertheless surgery is the "gold standard" with the chance of long-term survival, not possible to achieve with locally ablation and chemotherapy. METHODS: The combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, extended liver resection after selective portal vein embolization, two-stage hepatectomy, resection and reconstruction of vascular structures in deep hypothermia and simultaneous resection of pulmonary metastases, increase the resectability even in patients with poor prognosis achieving 5-year-survival rates between 26-46 % in colorectal liver metastases, 40 % in primary liver tumors and a median survival of 42 months after resection of liver and lung metastases. CONCLUSION: Interdisciplinary treatment and aggressive surgical resection seem to be justified, when performed safely as a curative option.     

Comparison of resection and radiofrequency ablation for treatment of solitary colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is the treatment of choice for patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases. In recent years, however, radiofrequency ablation has been used increasingly in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. In the absence of randomized clinical trials, this study aimed to compare outcome in patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases treated by surgery or by radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Solitary colorectal liver metastases were treated by radiofrequency destruction in 25 patients. The indications were extrahepatic disease in seven, vessel contiguity in nine and co-morbidity in nine patients. Outcome was compared with that of 20 patients who were treated by liver resection for solitary metastases and had no evidence of extrahepatic disease. Most patients in both groups also received systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: Median survival after liver resection was 41 (range 0-97) months with a 3-year survival rate of 55.4 per cent. There was one postoperative death and morbidity was minimal. Median survival after radiofrequency ablation was 37 (range 9-67) months with a 3-year survival rate of 52.6 per cent. CONCLUSION: Survival after resection and radiofrequency ablation of solitary colorectal liver metastases was comparable. The latter is less invasive and requires either an overnight stay or day-case facilities only.     

Totally laparoscopic strategies for the management of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastasis

Introduction

Laparoscopy is an accepted treatment for colorectal cancer and liver metastases, but there is no consensus for its use in the management of synchronous liver metastases (SCRLM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate totally laparoscopic strategies in the management of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases.

Methods

Patients presenting to Ninewells Hospital between July 2007 and August 2010, with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum with synchronous liver metastases were considered. Patients underwent simultaneous laparoscopic liver and colon cancer resection, a staged laparoscopic resection of SCRLM and colon cancer, or simultaneous colon resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of SCRLM. Primary endpoints were in-hospital morbidity and mortality, total hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, and resection margin status.

Results

Twenty-eight patients presented with synchronous colorectal liver metastases. Thirteen patients underwent a simultaneous laparoscopic liver and colon resection (median operating time, 370 (range, 190–540) min; median hospital stay, 7 (range, 3–54) days), seven patients had a staged laparoscopic resection of SCRLM and primary colon cancer (median operating time, 530 (range, 360–980) min; median hospital stay 14, (range, 6–51) days), and eight patients underwent laparoscopic colon resection and RFA of SCRLM (median operating time, 310 (range, 240–425) min; median hospital stay, 8 (range, 6–13) days). There were no conversions to an open procedure. Overall in-hospital morbidity and mortality was 28 and 0?% respectively. An R0 resection margin was achieved in 91?% of the resection group. At a median follow-up of 26 (range, 18–55) months, 19 (90?%) patients remain disease-free.

Conclusions

Totally laparoscopic strategies for the radical treatment of stage IV colorectal cancer are feasible with low morbidity and favorable outcomes. A laparoscopic approach for the simultaneous management of SCRLM and primary colon cancer is associated with reduced surgical access trauma, postoperative morbidity, and hospital stay with no compromise in short-term oncological outcome.     

The management of solitary colorectal liver metastases

Surgical resection of solitary colorectal liver metastases is associated with long-term survival. Radiofrequency ablation used as the primary treatment option of solitary resectable colorectal liver metastases is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence that generally leads to worse survival compared to resection. In contrast with treatment of other hepatic malignancies, radiofrequency ablation is not equivalent to resection for colorectal liver metastases and should not be used as an alternative but limited to inoperable patients. Although overall survival rate after resection can be up to 71% at 5 years, the majority of patients develop recurrence. Preoperative chemotherapy contributes to decrease the risk of recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases. In patients with advanced solitary colorectal liver metastasis initially non suitable for resection, chemotherapy and portal vein embolization contribute to increase the number of surgical candidates whereas radiofrequency is rarely an option.     

Comparison of various surgical approaches for extensive bilateral colorectal liver metastases

Purpose

Tailored operative strategies have been proposed for patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome, safety and efficacy, including cancer-specific survival, morbidity, and mortality, of three different surgical strategies for extensive bilateral CLM.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of a prospective database of 356 consecutive patients, who underwent hepatic resection due to CLM between January 2003 and January 2009. Fifty-nine patients underwent three different therapeutic approaches: 22 patients with portal vein embolization (PVE) + staged resections, 11 patients with staged resections solely, and 26 patients with an extensive liver resection and simultaneous or subsequent radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Results

The three groups were comparable regarding their general patient characteristics. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 27.1 and 1.7 %, respectively. There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality, or survival between the three groups. The median survival of all patients was 48 months, with a recurrence-free survival of 30 months.

Conclusions

The clearance of bilobar CLM can be achieved by various strategies, all of them providing an acceptable mortality rate and survival for the patients. Therefore, patients with bilobar liver metastases should receive a procedure tailored for their individual extent of disease.     

Colorectal metastasis (liver and lung)

Distant metastases are the major cause of death for colorectal carcinoma patients. Depending on the primary tumor's stage, liver metastases occur in 20% to 70% of patients and lung metastases in 10% to 20%. Unlike many other cancers, the presence of distant metastases from colorectal cancer does not preclude curative treatment. Surgical resection remains the only treatment that can ensure long-term survival and cure in some patients, but only a minority of liver metastases are amenable to surgery. New treatment modalities including portal vein embolization, perioperative chemotherapy and local destruction with cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation may make more patients suitable for surgical resection of hepatic metastases and may prolong survival in cases of nonresectabilitv. The availability of new active drugs has changed the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.     

Liver resection and transplantation — Therapeutic concepts in surgical treatment of hepatic metastases

Summary Background: Surgical procedures such as liver resection or liver transplantation are the only treatment modalities that provide a chance of cure for patients with liver metastases. Methods: This report reviews results of liver resection and liver transplantation for liver metastases from colorectal cancer and neuroendocrine tumors as compared to the natural course. Results: Overall 5 year survival after curative liver resection for colorectal metastases ranges between 25 and 48%. The operative mortality is between 0 and 5%. Risk factors for tumor recurrence are more or less defined. Reresections of metastases can be performed with comparable mortality rates and results. Liver transplantation for unresectable colorectal metastases offers a median survival of 28 months, but the chance of cure only for individual patients. Exclusion of patients with positive lymph nodes of the primary tumor improves median survival. As there are alternative treatment options for neuroendocrine metastases, indication for liver resection or transplantation is not clearly defined, but the chance of cure by means of surgical treatment should not be missed. Curative resections of neuroendocrine liver metastases can achieve 5-year survival rates of more than 80%. Conclusions: Radical surgical removal of liver metastases from colorectal and neuroendocrine cancer can improve the prognosis for selected patients. Further improval is expected from a multimodal approach.      

Outcomes of simultaneous and delayed resections of synchronous colorectal liver metastases

Background

The optimal strategy for the treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases has not been established yet. In this study, we present the outcomes and survival rates of the patients who underwent simultaneous or delayed resections.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of liver resections in our institution between 1997 and 2006.

Results

Among the 89 patients presenting with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, 28 underwent simultaneous and 61 underwent delayed resection. Age, sex and localization of the primary tumour were similar in the 2 groups. Duration of surgery and hospital stay were longer in the simultaneous resection group, and blood loss was also greater in this group. However, these factors did not influence the frequency of complications, which did not differ between the groups. When we included data from initial colectomy, these differences were either not significant or in favour of synchronous resection. In the delayed resection group, colon resection was performed in different hospitals. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 70% and 45%, respectively, in the simultaneous and 88%, 55% and 38%, respectively, in the delayed resection groups.

Conclusion

In select patients, the risk of simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases is comparable to delayed resection, and increases in blood loss and operating time associated with simultaneous resections do not have a negative influence on long-term outcome. Positive outcomes of simultaneous liver resections in our study could be a result of good patient selection or experience with oncological liver surgery.     

Increased use of parenchymal-sparing surgery for bilateral liver metastases from colorectal cancer is associated with improved mortality without change in oncologic outcome: trends in treatment over time in 440 patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the results of liver resection for patients with bilateral hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. We aimed to assess the evolution of the technical approach over time and correlations with morbidity, mortality, and oncologic outcome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although hepatic resection for isolated colorectal metastases to the liver is thought to be beneficial when feasible, resection of bilateral liver metastases carries unique technical issues and is often associated with more aggressive tumor biology. Little has been written specifically about the results achieved in this subset of patients. METHODS: Data from a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing hepatic resection at a single institution over an 11-year time period were reviewed. RESULTS: Resection of bilateral liver metastases from colorectal cancer was accomplished in 443 cases (440 patients) with a 29% incidence of major complications and a 5.4% 90-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier estimated 5-year disease-specific survival was 30% and 5-year recurrence-free survival was 18%. Operative technique changed over time toward a parenchymal-sparing approach as evidenced by the greater use of multiple simultaneous liver resections, wedge resections, and ablations. Similarly, there was a decrease in the use of major hepatectomies. This correlated with decreased mortality without change in disease-specific survival or liver recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of bilateral colorectal liver metastases can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity, mortality, and oncologic results. Increased use of a parenchymal-sparing approach is associated with decreased mortality without compromise in cancer-related outcome.     

Surgical treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases with microwave thermoablation

Domestic device for destruction of tumors by microwave power was designed. Initial series of laboratory experiments were performed with microwave liver ablation. Primary series of patients with colorectal cancer metastases to the liver demonstrate positive results. Short-term exposure, programmable shapes and sizes of ablative zones are the distinctive advantages of microwave thermoablation (MTA). 329 patients underwent liver resections during 2005-2010 years.108 patients had colorectal cancer metastases to the liver. 52 (48,14%) patients had bilobar liver lesions. Among them 11 patients underwent liver resection combined with MTA of contralateral liver lesions. Reliable differences in survival rates among patients with monolobar and bilobar metastatic lesions were not observed. Median of survival rate amounted 22.8 months in patients operated for metastatic colorectal cancer. Variants of surgical treatment are proposed.     

腹腔镜结直肠癌切除术联合射频消融治疗肝转移癌

目的 探讨腹腔镜结直肠癌切除术+同期RFA治疗肝转移癌的临床价值.方法 2001年12月至2006年7月成都市第三人民医院对22例结直肠癌合并同时性肝转移的患者施行腹腔镜结直肠癌切除术+同期RFA治疗肝转移癌,术后通过增强CT检查评价消融灶固化效果.采用X2检验分析疗效.结果 本组22例患者中8例肝转移癌为多发,16例有合并症.对31个肝转移癌进行RFA治疗,未发生相关并发症;术后平均住院时间为(14±5)d,无手术死亡.5例因消融不完全进行重复RFA,4例消融灶复发(2例重复RFA);6例死亡(2例死于消融灶复发).消融灶复发率为18%(4/22),病死率为27%(6/22).肝转移癌直径≥2.0 cm者RFA后消融灶复发率高于直径＜2.0 cm者(x2=5.867,P＜0.05).结论 腹腔镜结直肠癌切除术+同期RFA治疗肝转移癌,为多发性肝转移癌、合并基础疾病、高龄、手术耐受差和肿瘤切除困难的结直肠癌患者提供了治疗的机会.     

Long-term Survival After An Aggressive Surgical Approach in Patients With Breast Cancer Hepatic Metastases

Background: Metastatic breast cancer is generally believed to be associated with a poor prognosis. Therapeutic advances over the past two decades, however, have resulted in improved outcomes for selected patients with limited metastatic disease. Methods: Between March 1991 and October 2002, 31 patients had hepatic resection for breast cancer metastases limited to the liver. Clinical and pathologic data were collected prospectively from breast and hepatobiliary databases. Results: Median age of patients was 46 years (range, 31 to 70). Liver metastases were solitary in 20 patients and multiple in 11 patients. Median size of the largest liver metastasis was 2.9 cm (range, 1 to 8). Major liver resections (three or more segments resected) were performed in 14 patients, whereas minor resections (fewer than three segments resected) with or without radiofrequency ablation (RFA) were performed in 17 patients. No postoperative mortality occurred. Of the 31 patients, 27 (87%) received either preoperative or postoperative systemic therapy as treatment for metastatic disease. The median survival was 63 months; a single patient died within 12 months of hepatic resection. The overall 2- and 5-year survival rates were 86% and 61%, respectively, whereas the 2- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 39% and 31%, respectively. No treatment- or patient-specific variables were found to correlate with survival rates. Conclusions: In selected patients with liver metastases from breast cancer, an aggressive surgical approach is associated with favorable long-term survival. Hepatic resection should be considered a component of multimodality treatment of breast cancer in these patients.     

Formal hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases. Ploidy and prognosis.

Fifty consecutive patients who underwent 52 formal hepatic resections (excluding isolated wedge resections) for metastatic colorectal cancer were analyzed to determine whether DNA content was of prognostic significance. The Dukes' stages of the colorectal primaries were: A (10%), B (20%), C (40%), D (28%), and unknown in 2%. Four patients whose liver metastases were discovered at the time of resection of the primary bowel cancer underwent concomitant liver resection, and the remaining patients underwent delayed resections. The hepatic resections performed were right lobectomy (50%), extended right lobectomy (19%), left lobectomy (13%), left lateral segmentectomy (6%), left lobectomy and right wedge (6%), extended left lobectomy (4%), and right lobectomy and left wedge (2%). The overall morbidity rate was 29%. The in-hospital mortality rate was 9%. As of November 1991, 36 patients have recurred. The 5-year actuarial survival was 28%. Flow cytometry could be performed on 37 archival specimens, 15 of which were found to be diploid whereas 22 were aneuploid. All metastases from Dukes A colorectal primaries demonstrated a diploid DNA content. In addition, there was no difference in actuarial survival between diploid and aneuploid tumors. These data suggest that in selected patients, formal hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases can be performed with an acceptable morbidity rate, mortality rate, and survival, but ploidy of the resected tumor is not of prognostic significance.     

A two-stage hepatectomy procedure combined with portal vein embolization to achieve curative resection for initially unresectable multiple and bilobar colorectal liver metastases

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcome after a 2-stage hepatectomy procedure (TSHP) combined with portal vein embolization (PVE) in the treatment of patients with unresectable multiple and bilobar colorectal liver metastases (MBCLM). BACKGROUND: Patients with MBCLM are often considered for palliative chemotherapy only, due to too small future remnant liver (FRL). Recently, right hepatectomy with simultaneous left liver wedge resections after previous right PVE has been reported in a curative intent. However, the growth of metastatic nodules in FRL after PVE can be more rapid than that of the nontumoral remnant hepatic parenchyma. Therefore, metastases located in the FRL should be ideally resected before PVE. Then, a right (or extended right) hepatectomy can be safely performed during a second-stage hepatectomy. Therefore, we analyzed our experience with the use of TSHP combined with PVE in treatment of MBCLM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 1996 and April 2003, 33 patients with unresectable MBCLM were selected for a TSHP. A right or an extended right hepatectomy was planned after treatment of left FRL metastases to achieve a curative resection. The first-stage hepatectomy consisted in a clearance of the left hemiliver by resection or radiofrequency destruction of metastases of the left FRL. Subsequently, a right PVE was performed to induce atrophy of the right hemiliver and hypertrophy of the left hemiliver. Finally, a second-stage hepatectomy was planned to resect the right liver metastases. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Post-PVE morbidity was 18.1%; postoperative morbidity was 15.1% and 56.0% after first- and second-stage hepatectomy, respectively. TSHP could be achieved in 25 of 33 patients (75.7%). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 70.0% and 54.4%, respectively, in the 25 patients in whom the TSHP was completed. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with initially unresectable MBCLM, a TSHP combined with PVE can be achieved safely with long-term survival similar to that observed in patients with initially resectable liver metastases.     

结直肠癌肝转移综合治疗体会

目的总结分析综合疗法控制结直肠癌肝转移的效果和体会。方法回顾性分析1996．1-2004．12结直肠癌肝转移106例临床资料。结果术前发现肝转移者行同期肝转移灶切除16例，门静脉化疗泵植入5例；术后发现肝转移灶者85例行手术切除、全身化疗、射频消融（PRFA）、无水酒精注射（PEI）、经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）等综合治疗。无手术死亡。治疗后CEA转阴29．2％，下降56．9％。随访率92．5％，随访期8个月至5年。缓解率（CR＋PR）为92．9％。病人1，3，5年生存率分别为96．9％、51．8％和23．2％。结论积极手术切除，配合局部消融和全身化疗的综合治疗是控制结直肠癌肝转移的有效方案。     

Laparoscopic and robot-assisted one-stage resection of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases: a pilot study

Background/purpose  One-stage resection of primary colon cancer and synchronous liver metastases is considered an effective strategy of cure. A laparoscopic approach may represent a safe and advantageous choice for selected patients with the aim of improving the early outcome. Methods  Between January 2008 and October 2008, 7 patients underwent one-stage laparoscopic resection for primary colorectal cancer combined with laparoscopic or robot-assisted liver resection. Results  A total of five laparoscopic left-colon, one right-colon, and one rectal resections were performed. Three patients underwent preoperative left-colon stenting and two received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patient with rectal cancer underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Liver procedures included one bisegmentectomy (segments 2, 3), 3 segmentectomies, 6 metastasectomies, and four laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablations (LUG-RFAs). One patient with multiple liver metastases was managed by a two-stage hepatectomy partially conducted by a totally laparoscopic approach. The overall postoperative morbidity was null. The median hospital stay was 10 days (range 7–10 days). Conclusions  This pilot study suggests that laparoscopic one-stage colon and liver resection is feasible and safe. Robot assistance may facilitate liver resection, increasing the number of patients who may benefit from a minimally invasive operation.     

Surgical treatment of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer

Half of patients with colorectal cancer have liver metastasis during their illness. Surgical resection of metastases represents the only curative treatment with prolonged survival in more than 50 % of patients. The aim of liver resection is complete excision of the lesions with histological negative margins while preserving sufficient functional liver parenchyma. In patients with diffuse liver disease, the radiofrequency ablation of metastases may be associated with surgical resection. The use of portal vein remobilization and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can also increase the number of patients for curative treatment. Despite this progress, from 50 to 60 % of patients relapse after complete resection of MHCCR. Surgical treatment of recurrent aggressive and effective chemotherapy allows the prolonged survival of these patients. The modern treatment of liver metastasis of colorectal cancers can be envisaged as part of a multidisciplinary approach to increase the number of patients for curative treatment.     

Resection of liver metastases from breast cancer: towards a management guideline

In selected patients with colorectal and neuroendocrine liver metastases, the outcome of liver resection is well established with 5-year survival rates ranging from 25% to 60%. However, the role of liver resection for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine (NCRCE) liver metastases has not been fully established. Liver metastases in breast cancer are common and a small number of those patients may be suitable for surgical resection. There have been some case series with low mortality and morbidity and prolonged survival after liver resection. We performed this review to evaluate the overall and disease free survival after liver resections for breast metastases. Extensive search of Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane database was performed and data was analysed. Although mostly case series with smaller number of patients, outcome has been comparable to colorectal liver metastases in selected group of patients with 5 years survival rate at the range of 20%-60% with main prognostic factors of being the absence of extrahepatic disease (in exception of isolated pulmonary and bony metastasis) and to achieve an R0 resection.     

Surgery in hepatic and extrahepatic colorectal metastases

Extrahepatic disease (EHD) has been considered a contraindication to hepatectomy. Over the last few years, some series reported interesting 5-year survival rates after resection with hepatic colorectal metastases and EHD free margins. Between August 1989 and October 2005, 116 patients underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases at Surgical Department of the University of Udine, Italy. Among these, we reviewed the data of 5 patients affected by EHD. In 3 patients there were also an anastomotic recurrence of the primary tumor, in 3 patients diaphragm was infiltrated by contiguous liver metastases. We performed in all the patients minor liver resections. We have associated the radiofrequence ablation of a lesion not surgically resectable with liver resection in one case. The surgical procedure was always considered as curative. We observed no case of operative mortality. The mean survival of the entire cohort is 23.2 months (range 4-42 months). Our study, even if based upon a limited number of patients, supports the thesis that extrahepatic disease in patients affected by colorectal cancer with hepatic metastases should not be considered as an absolute contraindication to liver resection especially for the cases in with local radical cure exeresis is achievable.     

Liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma--may the DRG-system influence the operative procedure?

The economic analysis of surgery in colorectal liver metastases reveals the different effectiveness of various follow-up programmes after curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Interval hepatic resection for synchronous liver metastases is recommended in the majority of cases with rectal cancer. This procedure provides benefits for the patient and the hospital under the economic point of view. The interval between primary tumor resection and surgery of liver metastases does not deteriorate the prognosis, on the contrary, unnecessary resections will be avoided if additional metastases will grow in the time between, excluding curative treatment (selection mechanism). The identical statement cannot be applied to patients with colon cancer, since the operative risk is only slightly increased in case of easily accessible liver metastases which may be removed simultaneously. However, also in these patients interval hepatic resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered as a therapeutic option! In patients with multiple liver metastases liver surgery as well as radiofrequency ablation or a combination of both may be economically justified. Radiofrequency ablation is the preferred palliative procedure under aspects of cost-effectiveness, however, wether this procedure is superior to chemotherapy alone has not be evaluated so far in prospectively randomized trials.