Sequential resection of lung metastasis following partial hepatectomy for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Multiple organ metastases from colorectal carcinoma may be considered incurable, but long survival after both liver and lung resection for metastases has been reported. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 48 patients who underwent lung resection for metastatic colorectal cancer between 1992 and 1999 was undertaken. Twenty-seven patients had lung metastasis alone, 15 had previous partial hepatectomy, and six had previous resection of local or lymph node recurrence. The relationship of clinical variables to survival was assessed. Survival was calculated from the time of first pulmonary resection. RESULTS: Five-year survival rates after resection of lung metastasis were 73 per cent in patients without preceding recurrence, 50 per cent following previous partial hepatectomy and zero after resection of previous local recurrence. Independent prognostic variables that significantly affected survival after thoracotomy were primary tumour histology and type of preceding recurrence. There was no significant difference in survival after lung resection between patients who had sequential liver and lung resection versus those who had lung resection alone. CONCLUSION: Sequential lung resection after partial hepatectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer may lead to long-term survival.     

Pulmonary metastasis from colorectal carcinoma with hepatic metastasis

Objective Although some beneficial effects of surgical treatments for pulmonary or hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma have been reported, identifying candidates for these aggressive surgical procedures is controversial. In this study, patients with pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma, particularly those with pulmonary and hepatic metastases, were retrospectively analyzed. Methods Forty-six patients who had undergone complete resection for pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results The median follow-up period after pulmonary resection was 26 months, and the 5-year postoperative survival rate was 34%. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of patients with pulmonary metastasis alone, metachronous pulmonary metastasis after liver metastasis, and synchronous metastasis to the liver and lung were 75%, 75%, and 25% and 25%, 38%, and 0%, respectively, when calculated from the time of primary colorectal resection (P < 0.01). Patients with synchronous metastases had a poorer prognosis than did the patients in the other two groups. Conclusions Surgical treatments for patients with pulmonary metastasis alone or metachronous metastasis can provide a beneficial outcome. Patients with synchronous metastasis have a poor prognosis, and effective pre- and postoperative systemic treatments should be considered to prolong their survival.     

Hepatic resections for bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer

The present study was performed to assess survival benefits in patients who underwent a hepatic resection for isolated bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Thirty-eight patients underwent a curative hepatic resection for isolated colorectal liver metastasis. Among them, 11 patients had bilobar liver metastases and 19 had a solitary metastasis. The remaining 8 patients had unilobar multiple lesions. We investigated survival in two groups those with bilobar and those with solitary metastatic tumors. Survival and disease-free survival were 36% and 18% at 5 years, respectively, in the patients with bilobar liver metastases, while these survivals were 43% and 34% in the patients with solitary liver metastasis. In the 38 patients, repeated hepatic resections were performed in 15 patients with recurrent liver disease. The 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates for these patients were 38% and 27%, respectively, after the second hepatic resections. Of the 11 patients with bilobar liver metastases, 5 underwent a repeated hepatic resection, and they all survived for over 42 months. Based on our observations, a hepatic resection was thus found to be effective even in selected patients with either bilobar nodules or recurrence in the remnant liver. Received: February 7, 2000 / Accepted: April 26, 2000     

133例结直肠癌肝转移外科手术疗效评价

目的评价手术治疗结直肠癌肝转移的疗效。方法分析复旦大学附属中山医院2000年1月1日至2005年12月31日收治的470例结直肠癌肝转移患者的资料,评价手术治疗对其生存的影响。结果196例同时性肝转移患者中手术30例（15．3％）,274例异时性肝转移患者中手术103例（37．6％）。同时性肝转移组手术死亡率（3．3％）高于异时性肝转移组（1．9％）（P〈0．05）。以2006年6月31日为随访终点,随访率100％,手术患者中同时性肝转移组1、3、5年生存率和中位生存时间与异时性肝转移组相似（P〉0．05）,但术后复发率较高（36．7％比20．4％,P=0．030）。49例具有手术指征而未手术的患者其1、3、5年生存率明显低于手术患者（P=0．003）。同时性肝转移组中22例Ⅰ期手术切除原发灶和肝转移灶和8例Ⅱ期手术患者的1、2．3年生存率和中位生存时间相似（P〉0．05）。生存因素风险分析发现手术切缘达1cm（P=0．036）和复发后再次手术（P=0．041）是生存的保护性因素,而术后复发（P=0．023）是生存的危险因素。结论手术治疗是结直肠癌肝转移的首选治疗措施,可以明显改善患者的术后生存。     

Characteristics of recurrence and surveillance tools after curative resection for colorectal cancer: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of recurrence and the effectiveness of surveillance tools after curative resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 5230 consecutive patients (stage I, 1367; stage II, 1912; stage III, 1951) who underwent curative resection at 14 hospitals from 1991 to 1996. All patients were followed up intensively, and their outcomes were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 5230 patients, 906 developed recurrence. The recurrence rates of stage I, II, and III cancers were 3.7%, 13.3%, and 30.8%, respectively (P < .0001). The curves of the cumulative appearance rate of recurrence in stage II and III patients showed a rapid increase for the first 3 years. Recurrence after 5 years was less than 1% in each stage. Clinical visits combined with measurements of tumor markers detected the majority of recurrences except in the case of lung metastasis. In contrast, 43.4% of hepatic recurrences were detected by liver imaging, and 48.4% of pulmonary recurrences were noted by chest x-ray. The 5-year survival rates after primary colorectal surgery in patients who underwent resection for recurrence were better than in those without resection: 55% vs 11% in hepatic recurrence, 68% vs 13% in pulmonary recurrence, and 48% vs 22% in local recurrence (all P < .001). CONCLUSION: It is useful to take these characteristics of recurrence into account in the management of patients after curative resection for colorectal cancer and in the setting of clinical trial for follow-up after curative resection for colorectal cancer.     

Analysis of preoperative prognostic factors for long-term survival after hepatic resection of liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma

Hepatic resection is the most effective therapy for liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. To clarify indications for this therapy, the clinicopathologic and follow-up data of 103 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for metastases of colorectal carcinoma were analyzed. Factors influencing overall survival rate were investigated by multivariate analysis. Thereafter, patients who underwent resection were stratified according to the number of independent risk factors present, and their outcomes were compared with those of 14 nonresection patients with fewer than six liver tumors and without extrahepatic metastasis. The overall survival rate of the 103 resection patients was 43.1%. The clinicopathologic factors shown to affect on long-term survival after hepatic resection were the interval between colorectal and hepatic surgery (<12 months), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level (>-10 ng/ml), and number of hepatic metastases (four or more). The 5-year overall survival rates were 75.0% with no risk factors (n = 16), 53.6% with one risk factor (n = 46), 23.0% with two risk factors (n = 36), and0%with three risk factors (n = 5). Survival rates did not differ between resection patients with three risk factors and nonresection patients. Therefore, hepatic resection may be appropriate for patients with fewer than three risk factors.     

Surgical management of recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases

The optimal treatment for recurrent lesions after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases is controversial. We report the outcome of aggressive surgery for recurrent disease after the initial hepatectomy and the influence on quality of life of such treatment. Forty-five (70%) of the 64 surviving patients developed recurrence after the initial hepatectomy for liver metastases. The determinants of hepatic recurrence were the distribution and the number of liver metastases. Twenty-eight (62%) of patients with recurrence underwent resection. A second hepatectomy was performed in 20 patients, and a third hepatectomy was done in 5 patients. Ten patients with pulmonary metastasis underwent partial lung resection on 14 occasions, while resection of brain metastases was performed in 3 patients on 5 occasions. There were no operative deaths after resection of recurrent disease. The morbidity rate was 28% after repeat hepatectomy, 21% after pulmonary resection, and 0% after resection of brain metastasis. The Karnofsky performance status (PS) after the last surgery was not significantly different from that after the initial hepatectomy. The 3- and 5-year survival rates after the second hepatectomy were 54% and 14%, respectively. The 3-and 5-year survival rates of the patients undergoing resection of extrahepatic recurrence were both 17%. The survival rate after resection of recurrent disease (n=28) was significantly better than that of patients (n=17) with unresectable recurrence (P < 0.05). For the 66 patients with colorectal liver metastases, the 5-year survival rate after initial hepatectomy was 50%. The distribution and the number of liver metastases and the presence of extrahepatic disease, as single factors, significantly affected prognosis after the initial hepatectomy. Multivariate analysis revealed that only the presence of extrahepatic metastasis and a disease-free interval of less than 6 months were independent predictors of survival after the initial and second hepatectomy, respectively. It is concluded that aggressive surgery is an effective strategy for selected patients with recurrence after initial hepatectomy. Careful selection of candidates for repeat surgery will yield increased clinical benefit, including long-term survival.     

结直肠癌同时性肝转移的同期手术切除

目的探讨同时性结直肠癌肝转移行同期切除原发瘤和肝转移瘤的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性总结分析从1981年5月至2005年11月在我院住院治疗的43例结直肠癌同时性肝转移同期手术的临床病理资料及结果并结合文献复习。结果43例患者中男性21例,女性22例,中位年龄52岁,手术持续中位时间180min。共30例术中输血,中位输血量800ml。术后总住院时间10—50d,中位时间15d。并发症发生率18．6％（8／43）,手术死亡率2．3％（1／43）。全组总的中位生存期为25个月,5年生存率19．1％。R0切除组的中位生存期48个月,5年生存率33．8％;非R0切除组的中位生存期为20个月,5年生存率7．6％。两组的生存时间经LogRank检验差异明显,P=0．002。结论同时性结直肠癌肝转移同期手术的安全性和有效性可以保证。对可切除的同时性结直肠癌肝转移应争取同期手术,并争取R0切除。     

Solitary colorectal liver metastasis: resection determines outcome

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection (HR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been proposed as equivalent treatments for colorectal liver metastasis. HYPOTHESIS: Recurrence patterns after HR and RFA for solitary liver metastasis are similar. DESIGN: Analysis of a prospective database at a tertiary care center with systematic review of follow-up imaging in all of the patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with solitary liver metastasis as the first site of metastasis treated for cure by HR or RFA were studied (patients received no prior liver-directed therapy). Prognostic factors, recurrence patterns, and survival rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients who were studied, 150 underwent HR and 30 underwent RFA. Radiofrequency ablation was used when resection would leave an inadequate liver remnant (20 patients) or comorbidity precluded safe HR (10 patients). Tumor size and treatment determined recurrence and survival. The local recurrence (LR) rate was markedly lower after HR (5%) than after RFA (37%) (P<.001). Treatment by HR was associated with longer 5-year survival rates than RFA, including LR-free (92% vs 60%, respectively; P<.001), disease-free (50% vs 0%, respectively; P = .001), and overall (71% vs 27%, respectively; P<.001) survival rates. In the subset with tumors 3 cm or larger (n = 79), LR occurred more frequently following RFA (31%) than after HR (3%) (P = .001), with a 5-year LR-free survival rate of 66% after RFA vs 97% after HR (P<.001). Patients with small tumors experienced longer 5-year overall survival rates after HR (72%) as compared with RFA (18%) (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate following HR of solitary colorectal liver metastasis exceeds 70% at 5 years. Radiofrequency ablation for solitary metastasis is associated with a markedly higher LR rate and shorter recurrence-free and overall survival rates compared with HR, even when small lesions (< or = 3 cm) are considered. Every method should be considered to achieve resection of solitary colorectal liver metastasis, including referral to a specialty center, extended hepatectomy, and chemotherapy.     

Initial pulmonary metastasis after pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Patients who undergo pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) develop relatively early recurrence, but pulmonary metastasis from PDA is rare. Between January 2008 and December 2016, a total of 120 consecutive patients underwent pancreatectomy for primary PDA at Osaka Medical College Hospital. Among these, 13 patients developed pulmonary metastasis and 6 patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy. Among these patients, the median disease-free survival following initial pancreatic surgery was 26.1 months, and the median overall survival (OS) interval was 39 months. On the other hand, seven patients did not undergo pulmonary resection. The median OS interval of these patients was 33 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 100%, 80%, and 60%, respectively, for patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy and 100.0%, 42.8%, and 0%, respectively, for those who did not undergo the procedure. Our experience has shown that surgical resection may lengthen the survival time of patients who tolerate surgery.     

Predictors for Early Recurrence After Hepatectomy for Initially Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Background

Early recurrence correlates with poor survival following various cancer surgeries and puts considerable stress on patients both physically and mentally. This retrospective study investigated the predictive factors for early recurrence after surgical resection for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis to elucidate indications for conversion strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 46 patients who underwent hepatectomy after chemotherapy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis from 1997 to 2010.

Results

Recurrences occurred within 6 months after hepatectomy in 13 patients (37 %). The median survival time of 21.2 months and the 5-year survival rate of 0 % after hepatectomy in patients with recurrence within 6 months were significantly worse than those in patients with recurrence more than 6 months after hepatectomy. Recurrence in less than 6 months was significantly correlated with impossibility of anticancer therapy for recurrence after hepatectomy (p?=?0.01). Eight or more hepatic tumors after chemotherapy were the only predictor of recurrence within 6 months (p?=?0.01; odds ratio 9.6; 95 % confidence interval 1.5–60.6).

Conclusion

Recurrence within 6 months was significantly correlated with a poorer outcome following surgery for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis. Surgical indication for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis with eight or more hepatic tumors after chemotherapy should be considered carefully in the light of mental and physical status, co-morbidity, and alternative treatment plans.     

Radiofrequency Ablation for Metachronous Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer after Curative Surgery

Background We compared outcomes of surgery and radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in patients with metachronous liver metastases. Methods Between October 1995 and December 2005, 59 patients underwent hepatic resection and 30 underwent RFA for metachronous liver metastases. Patients with extra-hepatic metastases, those who underwent both types of treatment, and those with synchronous hepatic metastasis were excluded. Results The two groups had similar mean age, sex ratio, comorbid medical conditions, primary disease stage, and frequency of solitary metastases. Preoperative mean serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was significantly higher in the RFA group (13.4 ng/mL vs. 7.7 ng/mL; p = 0.02). Mean diameter of hepatic metastases was significantly greater in the resection than in the RFA group (3.1 cm vs. 2.0 cm; p = 0.001). Recurrence after treatment of metastasis was observed in 18 of 30 (60.0%) RFA and 33 of 59 (56%) resection patients. Local recurrence at the RFA site was observed in 7 of 30 (23%) patients. Time to recurrence (15 vs. 8 months, p = 0.02) and overall survival (56 vs. 36 months, p = 0.005) were significantly longer in the resection than in the RFA group. In the 69 patients with solitary metastases of diameter ≤3 cm, time to recurrence (p = 0.004) and overall survival were significantly greater in the resection group. Conclusions Compared with hepatic resection, RFA for metachronous hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer was associated with higher local recurrence and shorter recurrence-free and overall survival rates, even in patients with solitary, small (≤3 cm) lesions.     

Second Hepatectomy for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastasis: Analysis of Preoperative Prognostic Factors

Background Second hepatectomy is a potentially curative treatment for patients with hepatic recurrence of colorectal cancer. However, there is still no consensus about the patient selection criteria for second hepatectomy under these circumstances, and the factors affecting prognosis after second hepatectomy remain uncertain.Methods Clinicopathologic data for 111 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastasis who underwent second hepatectomy at a single institution between 1985 and 2004, and for whom complete clinicopathologic reports were available, were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses.Results The morbidity and mortality rates were 14% and 0%, respectively, and the overall 5-year survival rate was 41%. Multivariate analysis revealed that synchronous resection for the first liver metastasis (hazard ratio, 1.8), more than three tumors at the second hepatectomy (1.9), and histopathological involvement of the hepatic vein and/or portal vein by the first liver metastasis (1.7) were independently associated with poor survival. We used these three risk factors to devise a preoperative model for predicting survival. The 5-year survival rates of patients without any risk factors, and with one, two, or three risk factors, were 62%, 38%, 19%, and 0%, respectively.Conclusions Second hepatectomy is beneficial for patients without any risk factors. Before second hepatectomy, chemotherapy should be considered for patients with any of these risk factors, especially with two or three factors, in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting to prolong survival. These results need to be confirmed and validated in another data set or future prospective trial according to the scoring scheme we outline.     

Resection of hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma: 20 years' experience

We analyzed the results and the prognostic factors influencing survival in 79 patients with metastases of colorectal carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy at our hospital in the 20-year period 1978–1998. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 49% and 33%, respectively. Repeat hepatectomy was done 29 times in 24 patients with relapse of liver tumors. The 3- and 5-year survival rates after repeat hepatectomy were 58% and 14%, respectively. The distribution of and number of tumors in the liver, the disease-free interval from initial to second hepatectomy, and the presence of extrahepatic disease were significantly associated with survival (P < 0.01). Seven of 43 patients who underwent hilar node dissection had metastasis and 2 of them survived for more than 5 years. Repeat hepatectomy and hilar lymphadenectomy may be effective in prolonging the sur-vival of selected patients with hepatic metastasis. We also discuss prognostic factors after extensive surgery for hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Received for publication on Aug. 30, 1998; accepted on Nov. 2, 1998     

根治性手术切除结直肠癌肺转移灶的临床疗效及预后影响因素分析

目的探讨根治性手术切除结直肠癌肺转移灶的临床疗效及预后影响因素。方法采用回顾性队列研究方法。收集2004年1月至2015年12月北京大学肿瘤医院收治的63例结直肠癌肺转移病人的临床病理资料;男35例,女28例;年龄为(57±12)岁。病人均行原发灶和结直肠癌肺转移灶根治性R 0切除术。观察指标:(1)诊断及治疗情况。(2)随访及生存情况。(3)预后影响因素分析。采用门诊和电话方式进行随访,了解病人术后生存情况,随访时间截至2018年12月。正态分布的计量资料以x±s表示,偏态分布的计量资料以M(范围)表示。计数资料以绝对数或百分比表示。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率并绘制生存曲线,单因素分析采用Log-rank检验,多因素分析采用COX比例风险模型。结果(1)诊断及治疗情况:63例结直肠癌肺转移病人中,同时性肺转移6例,异时性肺转移57例。18例病人胸部X线片检查初始发现肺部可疑转移灶,经X线计算机体层摄影术(CT)检查进一步证实为肺转移灶,45例病人胸部CT检查初始发现肺转移灶。63例病人均行原发灶和肺转移灶根治性R 0切除术。22例病人行纵隔淋巴结清扫,其中2例各有1枚纵隔淋巴结转移。所有病人术后恢复良好,未出现严重并发症。63例病人中,57例接受>6个月以氟尿嘧啶类药物为主的术后辅助化疗及靶向治疗。(2)随访及生存情况:63例病人均获得术后随访,随访时间为8~143个月,中位随访时间为58个月。63例病人中,19例死亡,24例出现二次复发,5年复发率为38.1%(24/63),复发时间为18个月(3~58个月)。24例二次复发病人中,19例发生肺转移,3例发生脑转移,2例发生骨转移,2例发生肝转移。同1例病人可同时发生多处转移。24例二次复发病人中,5例行再次手术治疗,19例行化疗和放化疗。63例病人5年总体生存率为62.7%。(3)预后影响因素分析:单因素分析结果为原发灶部位、肺转移灶数目和肺转移灶切除术前癌胚抗原水平是影响结直肠癌肺转移病人预后的相关因素(χ²=4.162、7.175、6.725,P<0.05)。多因素分析结果显示:肺转移灶数目和肺转移灶切除术前癌胚抗原水平是结直肠癌肺转移病人预后的独立影响因素(风险比=2.725,2.778,95%可信区间为1.051~7.064、1.072~7.021,P<0.05)。结论根治性手术切除结直肠癌肺转移灶安全、可行。肺转移灶数目和肺转移灶切除术前癌胚抗原水平是结直肠癌肺转移病人预后的独立影响因素。     

浆膜受侵的结直肠癌术后腹腔化疗联合静脉化疗的临床研究

目的探讨术后腹腔化疗联合静脉化疗与单纯静脉化疗对浆膜受侵的结直肠癌患者的I临床疗效。方法前瞻性非随机将332例浆膜受侵的结直肠癌根治术后患者分为联合化疗组（行腹腔化疗联合静脉化疗166例）和静脉化疗组（行单纯静脉化疗166例）,比较两组患者术后腹腔局部复发率、腹腔转移率、肝及其他远处转移率和患者3年、5年总体生存率。结果联合化疗组和静脉化疗组3年、5年总体生存率：ⅡB期两组病例比较,差异无统计学意义（X^2=0.612,P=0.434）;Ⅲ期病例两组比较,差异有统计学意义（X^2=3.989,P=0.046）。联合化疗组的腹腔局部复发率（1.9％）、腹腔转移率（3.8％）和肝转移率（3.8％）均显著低于静脉化疗组的8.2％、9.5％和10.1％（P〈0.05）,而两组其他远处（肺、骨、脑）转移率（5.1％比3.8％）比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。联合化疗组中,使用奥沙利铂组腹腔转移率和肝转移率（0.9％和0.9％）均显著低于使用顺铂组（8.8％和8.8％,P〈0.05）,两组局部复发率和远处转移率（0.9％和4.7％比3.5％和5.3％）比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论联合化疗可显著降低浆膜受侵的结直肠癌根治术后患者局部复发率、腹腔转移率与肝转移率,腹腔化疗中奥沙利铂在预防腹腔广泛转移和肝转移方面较顺铂效果更佳。     

Circumferential margin plays an independent impact on the outcome of rectal cancer patients receiving curative total mesorectal excision

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the circumferential resection margin on the outcomes of patients with rectal cancer undergoing total mesorectal excision.

Methods

Medical records from July 2004 to June 2008 were prospectively reviewed, and 348 patients who underwent potentially curative surgery for rectal cancer were identified. The influence of the circumferential resection margin on local recurrence, distant metastasis, and 5-year cancer-specific survival was assessed.

Results

Of 348 patients, 13 (3.7%) had positive circumferential resection margins. During a median follow-up period of 58.0 months, 8 patients (2.3%) had local recurrence and 53 (15.2%) developed distant metastases. Local recurrence rates and distant metastasis rates in patients with positive circumferential resection margins were 15.4% and 61.5%, respectively, significantly higher than in those with negative circumferential resection margins (1.8% and 13.4%, respectively) (P < .001). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 75.8% and 0% for patients with tumors having negative and positive circumferential resection margins, respectively (P < .001).

Conclusions

A circumferential resection margin of ≤1 mm adversely affects cancer-specific survival, local recurrence, and distant metastasis.     

Prognostic factors in resection of pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate characteristics of primary colorectal cancer and pulmonary metastases in order to identify prognostic factors for overall survival and risk factors for further intrapulmonary recurrence after resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: Forty-nine patients who underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer were reviewed. The factors assessed were age, sex, pathological findings of the original colorectal cancer (depth, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, differentiation, Dukes' stage) and pulmonary metastasis (maximum tumour size, number of tumours, completeness of resection), serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, previous hepatectomy for liver metastases, and surgical procedure for resection of pulmonary metastasis. Overall survival and intrapulmonary recurrence were also reviewed. RESULTS: Survival rates after resection of pulmonary metastases were 78 per cent at 3 years and 56 per cent at 5 years. Solitary pulmonary metastases were significantly correlated with survival (P = 0.049). The pathological features of the primary colorectal cancer had no impact on survival. Histologically incomplete resection of pulmonary metastasis significantly correlated with pulmonary re-recurrence (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Long-term survival can be expected after complete resection of pulmonary metastases arising from colorectal cancer, especially in patients with a solitary pulmonary metastasis.     

Independent predictors for local recurrence following surgery for spinal metastasis

Background

Local recurrence of spinal metastasis after surgical resection is relatively common. We sought to determine risk factors and independent predictors for local recurrence after primary surgical resection of spinal metastasis.

Methods

Demographic and clinical variables were collected for patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis June 2005 to June 2011. Primary outcome of interest was local recurrence. Significant associations between covariates of interest and recurrence were identified using the chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression models for recurrence risk were fit and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 99 patients were analyzed. Mean time to metastatic recurrence was 9.8 months. Thirty-two patients (32.3 %) had local recurrence of metastatic disease following initial surgery. Patients who underwent radiotherapy had significantly higher recurrence rates than patients who did not (39.2 % vs. 12.0 %, respectively; P?=?0.012). Patients with metastatic disease affecting more levels had significantly lower recurrence rates. On multivariate analysis, older age was an independent predictor of decreased likelihood of local recurrence. Melanoma was the only cancer type independently associated with higher risk for recurrence. Patients with recurrence had significantly higher 1- and 2-year survival rates than patients without recurrence. Median length of survival was longer in the recurrent group as well.

Conclusions

Other than melanoma, covariates significantly associated with recurrence were factors likely associated with increased survival, including less-extensive spinal disease and radiotherapy. Thus, longer survival time following surgery likely results in a greater chance for local recurrence. As advancements in treatment provide prolonged survival, local recurrence rates will likely increase.     

Colorectal carcinoma and brain metastasis: Distribution,treatment, and survival

Background: Brain metastasis from colorectal cancer is rare. The present study reports the nature of this disease and analyzes factors correlated with survival in patients harboring such disease. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed between 1980 and 1994 with metastatic brain tumors secondary to colorectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 36 underwent surgery, 57 underwent radiotherapy alone, and the remaining seven received steroids. Results: The most common primary sites were the sigmoid colon and rectum (65%). Brain metastases with concomitant liver and/or lung metastases were seen more frequently than brain metastases alone. The median interval between the diagnosis of primary cancer and the diagnosis of brain metastasis was 26 months (95% confidence interval =22–30). The median survival time after the diagnosis of brain metastasis was 1 month for patients who received only steroids, 3 months for those who received radiotherapy (p=0.1), and 9 months for those who underwent surgery (p<0.0001). The extent of noncerebral systemic disease was not correlated with survival (p>0.05), but early onset of brain metastasis was significantly associated with poor prognosis (p=0.04). Conclusion: Surgical removal of colorectal metastatic brain lesions results in significantly increased survival time, regardless of the status of the noncerebral systemic disease.