Results of a prospective randomized study of hepatic artery infusion with 5-fluorouracil versus intravenous 5-fluorouracil in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: A Central Oncology Group study.

In a controlled, prospectively randomized trial, 74 patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer were randomized to either intra-arterial hepatic artery infusion with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU. In 61 acceptable patients, there was no significant difference in terms of response rate, time to progression, duration of the response, and survival rate. Though the response rate for the intra-arterial infusion arm was slightly higher than for the systemic arm, the difference was not significant, and the intra-arterial infusion arm was associated with a greater incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, in addition to complications of femoral-arterial thrombosis, bleeding, and infection at the catheter site not seen in patients treated by systemic chemotherapy. Patients with an objective response to chemotherapy on either treatment arm survived twice as long as the nonresponders. Long-term survival in one patient, 77 months, can occasionally be achieved in patients with hepatic metastases.     

Comparative efficacy of antitumor treatment for liver metastases from colorectal cancer

A retrospective study of 37 colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases was made. Of these patients, 6 who had undergone primary tumor removal were treated with considerable success by hepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU and mitomycin C. Ten patients who underwent primary tumor excision were treate by oral chemotherapy using fluorinated pyrimidines. These patients survived about 23 months. On the other hand, 12 patients after primary tumor removal without cancer chemotherapy survived for about 10 months. Six patients without antitumor treatment for both primary tumor and hepatic metastasis survived about 5.2 months. The overall results of this study suggest that intrahepatic arterial infusion is of practical importance for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer and that oral chemotherapy is indeed effective for selected patients.     

Intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil and intravenous folinic acid in the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two regimens of intra-arterial chemotherapy for the treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, UK SUBJECT: 57 patients with unresectable metastases confined to the liver, and an indwelling catheter in the hepatic artery. INTERVENTIONS: The first 33 patients had a 24-hour intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1500 mg/m2, together with folinic acid 200 mg/m2 intravenously for the first and last two hours of the 5-FU infusion. This was repeated at weekly intervals for six weeks followed by a two-week gap before the next cycle. The remaining 24 patients had a two-weekly regimen in which folinic acid 200 mg/m2 was infused intravenously over 2 hours followed by an intra-arterial loading dose of 5-FU 400 mg/m2 over 15 minutes; 5-FU 1600 mg/m2 was then given by intra-arterial infusion over 22 hours. This was repeated on day 2 and then at two-weekly intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response rate and toxicity. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 21 months, and estimated median survival 19 months. 29 patients (51%) have responded, 5 completely. There are no significant differences between the groups. Sites of progression were liver alone 26 (53%), lung alone 9 (18%), liver and lung 3 (6%), and the remainder in local or regional nodes (n = 7) or bone (n = 4). Six patients experienced WHO grade 3 or 4 toxicity. CONCLUSION: The two regimens have high response rates and cause little systemic toxicity. Intra-arterial chemotherapy for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer is currently being compared with conventional systemic chemotherapy in a randomised controlled trial.     

Basic and clinical studies on metastatic cancer--with special reference of multidisciplinary treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastasis

We studied 161 gastric cancer patients with P0, H(+) and 51 colorectal cancer patients with P0, H(+) from among cancer patients of the digestive organs and obtained the following conclusions. The effective treatment for synchronous hepatic metastasis was regarded as the group with surgical removal of the primary lesion plus hepatic resection plus chemotherapy, demonstrating most favorable prognosis in both gastric and colorectal cancer patients. Prognosis of the group treated with surgical removal of the primary lesion plus hepatic resection plus chemotherapy, was the most excellent and was followed by the group with surgical removal of the primary lesion plus chemotherapy and group with surgical removal of the primary lesions and group surgical removal of the primary lesion in this order. Concerning chemotherapy after surgical removal of the primary lesion, continuous intraarterial infusion therapy with FML regimen combining Lentinan revealed more favorable prognosis also in both gastric and colorectal cancer patients. Hepatic resection with aggressive reduction surgery was of significance in the treatment for the patients with hepatic metastasis of H1 and H2. Long-term survival is also expected for the patients with metachronous hepatic metastasis of H1 by hepatic resection plus chemotherapy.     

Treatment of cancer of the liver. Twenty years'' experience with infusion and resection in 414 patients.

The factors influencing survival for patients with cancer of the liver were studied by reviewing the records of 414 patients operated on in a private oncology practice. Approximately half (47%) had colorectal metastasis; 17% had metastatic breast carcinoma, 14% had malignant hepatoma, 5% had metastatic melanoma, and the remainder had a variety of primary cancers. Eighty-two per cent of all patients had advanced liver disease when first diagnosed. One quarter of the patients had some type of resection; the remainder had abdominal exploration plus insertion of an infusion catheter into the hepatic artery. The postoperative mortality rate after liver resection for 108 patients was 6.5%. After resection, the most important prognostic factor influencing survival was the presence or absence of extrahepatic metastases. When possible, resection was by far the best treatment available, and the best results were seen in patients who had resection of a solitary lesion. For advanced disease, when resection was not possible, intra-arterial chemotherapy, primarily with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was associated with response rates of 36% for colorectal cancer, 45% for breast cancer, 13% for hepatocellular cancer, 12% for melanoma, and 14% for metastases from other primary sites. The patients who responded to infusion lived longer than those who did not respond. For example, at 18 months, 26% of the responders with colorectal cancer were alive, as were 50% of the responders with breast cancer and 40% of the responders with hepatocellular cancer. In contrast, at 18 months, there were no survivors among the nonresponders with colorectal, breast, or hepatocellular cancer. For those patients treated solely by infusion chemotherapy, the extent of disease in the liver was the most reliable factor in predicting the length of survival. However, very few patients treated in this manner lived longer than 3 years.     

结直肠癌同时性肝转移治疗46例分析

目的:探讨结直肠癌同时性肝转移的有效治疗方法。方法:对1996～2004年收治的46例结直肠癌同时性肝转移的临床资料和随访资料进行回顾性分析。根据治疗方法的不同分为3组:A组21例,为一期切除原发灶和肝转移灶并经肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗者;B组15例,为单纯原发灶切除并经肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗者;C组10例,为原发灶和肝转移灶均未能切除而仅行肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗者。用KaplanMeier法对病人的生存时间作统计分析。结果:A、B、C3组术后中位生存期分别为38、20和13个月;各组之间术后生存时间的比较均有显著统计学差异(P<0.01)。结论:结直肠癌原发灶和肝转移灶一期手术切除并经肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗的疗效最好;肝转移灶无法切除者能将原发灶切除并经肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗也可取得较好的疗效;原发灶和肝转移灶未能切除而仅经肝动脉和门静脉置泵化疗的疗效相对较差。对结直肠癌同时性肝转移应采取以手术切除为主的综合措施进行积极治疗。     

Combination cancer chemotherapy by regional intra-arterial or intra-aortic infusion of 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C with or without irradiation

Conclusion In conclusion the combination cancer chemotherapy with intra-arterial or intra-aortic infusion of 5-FU and MMC with or without irradiation has proved of great value in the treatment of unresectable or recurrent cancer and offered selected patients significant palliation (Table 1). In our studies of the patients with advanced head and neck cancer unsuitable for conventional surgery, 68% of the patients showed regression with intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU and MMC with or without irradiation. In 38 evaluable patients with primary and metastatic liver tumors and pancreatic cancer, 71% of the patients showed objective evidence of response following hepatic artery infusion of 5-FU and MMC. Survival with this treatment for approximately 6 months was achieved in 53% of the patients so treated and 20% survival rate was achieved at the 12 month point. Objective tumor response was noted in 53% of the patients with pulmonary and gastrointestinal tract cancer by regional intra-aortic subselective infusion of 5-FU and MMC with or without irradiation. Analysis showed that 40% of the evaluable patients with lung cancer, 57% of the patients with stomach cancer, and 47% of the patients with colorectal cancer respectively demonstrated positive response to this therapy. The patients with unresectable colorectal cancer showed 50% survival rate at 12 month point after start of treatment with an average survival of 12.9 months. In 67 of over all 109 evaluable patients (61%) so treated the results has been good in terms of objective tumor regression and they sustained transient clinical benefits. Forty two of the 109 evaluable patients were classified as unimproved. Forty-three patients were un-evaluable since either the patient failed to complete the therapeutic regimen according to the protocol or the primary tumor was resected before starting the infusion chemotherapy or the patient was recent case before evaluation. Our results suggest that far advanced, non-resectable local malignancies without demonstrable distant metastasis should be treated vigorously with combined intra-arterial or intra-aortic infusion chemotherapy of 5-FU and MMC and irradiation.     

Validity of observation interval for synchronous hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer: changes in hepatic and extrahepatic metastatic foci

Background In cases of synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases, the primary colorectal cancer maintains a strong influence on the metastases, so the possibility of occult hepatic and extrahepatic metastases must be kept in mind. Our treatment policy has been to reevaluate the metastases at an interval of 3 months after colorectal resection and determine treatment strategy. We examined the validity of observation interval for synchronous hepatic metastases. Materials and methods The treatment course was investigated for 36 patients with no extrahepatic lesion remnants at colorectal surgery and a simultaneously resectable liver (H1 group). Results In the H1 group, eight patients underwent simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resections, while the treatment course for 28 patients was decided after an interval. Hepatic resection was not indicated in nine of the 28 patients during the interval. New lesions appeared during the interval in seven of 19 interval hepatic resection patients. In 16 (57%) of 28 interval patients, there was a change in the hepatic resection procedure or surgical indications. Conclusion Reevaluation after an observation interval allows accurate understanding of the number and location of hepatic metastases and is beneficial in determining candidates for surgery and in selecting treatment plan.     

Treatment strategy for synchronous metastases of colorectal cancer: is hepatic resection after an observation interval appropriate?

Background In cases of synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases, the primary colorectal cancer strongly influences on the metastases. Our treatment policy has been to conduct hepatic resection for the metastases at an interval of 3 months after colorectal resection. We examined the appropriateness of interval hepatic resection for synchronous hepatic metastasis. Materials and methods The subjects were 164 patients who underwent resection of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer (synchronous, 70 patients; metachronous, 94 patients). Background factors for hepatic metastasis and postoperative results were compared for synchronous and metachronous cases. Results The cumulative survival rate for 164 patients at 3, 5, and 10 years postoperatively was 71.9%, 51.8%, and 36.6%, and the post-resection recurrence rate in remnant livers was 26.8%. Interval resection for synchronous hepatic metastases was conducted in 49 cases after a mean interval of 131 days. No difference was seen in postoperative outcome between synchronous and metachronous cases. Conclusion The outcome was similarly favorable in cases of synchronous hepatic metastasis and in cases of metachronous metastasis. Delaying resection allows accurate understanding of the number and location of hepatic metastases, and is beneficial in determining candidates for surgery and in selecting surgical procedure.     

胃癌并局限型肝转移同步切除九例报告

目的探讨同步切除治疗胃癌并局限型肝转移的临床效果。方法回顾性分析胃癌并局限型肝转移行同步切除的9例患者的临床资料。结果行根治性远端胃大部分切除术7例,根治性近端胃大部分切除术1例,根治性全胃切除1例;局部肝切除8例,左半肝切除1例。无手术死亡病例。术后生存期分别为9、12、12、13、21、24、30、37和62个月,平均生存24.3个月。术后6例再发残肝转移。死亡原因中,3例死于残肝转移,3例死于腹膜转移。结论对胃癌并局限型肝转移患者施行原发灶根治性切除和肝转移灶同步切除可有效地延长生命。     

Randomized trial of surgery versus surgery followed by adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid for liver metastases of colorectal cancer. German Cooperative on Liver Metastases (Arbeitsgruppe Lebermetastasen)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) on survival relative to resection alone in patients with radical resection of colorectal liver metastases. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Nearly 40% to 50% of all patients with colorectal carcinoma develop liver metastases. Curative resection results in a 5-year survival rate of 25% to 30%. Intrahepatic recurrence occurs after a median of 9 to 12 months in up to 60% of patients. The authors hypothesized that adjuvant intraarterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) might decrease the rate of intrahepatic recurrence and improve survival in patients with radical resection of colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: Between April 5, 1991, and December 31, 1996, patients with colorectal liver metastases from 26 hospitals were stratified by the number of metastases and the site of the primary tumor and randomized to resection of the liver metastases followed by adjuvant HAI of 5-FU (1000 mg/m2 per day for 5 days as a continuous 24-hour infusion) plus folinic acid (200 mg/m2 per day for 5 days as a short infusion), or liver resection only. RESULTS: The first planned intention-to-treat interim analysis after inclusion of 226 patients and 91 events (deaths) showed a median survival of 34.5 months for patients with adjuvant therapy versus 40.8 months for control patients. The median time to progression was 14.2 months for the chemotherapy group versus 13.7 months for the control group. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities (World Health Organization), mainly stomatitis (57.6%) and nausea (55.4%), occurred in 25.6% of cycles and 62.9% of patients. CONCLUSION: According to this planned interim analysis, adjuvant HAI, when used in this dose and schedule in patients with resection of colorectal liver metastases, reduced the risk of death at best by 15%, but at worst the risk of death was doubled. Thus, the chance of detecting an expected 50% improvement in survival by the use of HAI was only 5%. Patient accrual was therefore terminated.     

Colorectal hepatic metastases: resection, local ablation, and hepatic artery infusion pump are associated with prolonged survival

BACKGROUND: Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver is not uniform. We describe the management of metastatic colorectal cancer of the liver at a single institution during a 10-year period. METHODS: From January 1, 1990, through December 31, 1999, 174 patients were identified from the tumor registry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver. Patient, tumor, laboratory, operative, and adjuvant therapy factors were analyzed, with overall survival as the endpoint. Log-rank tests were used for univariate analysis, Cox-proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for graphical representation of survival. Significance was defined as P<.05. RESULTS: Median age was 60 years (age range, 18-92 years). Seventy-nine percent of patients had synchronous liver metastases at the time of diagnosis of the primary colorectal tumor. The primary tumor was in the colon and rectum 75% and 25% of the time, respectively. Of the 89 patients who underwent operation, 73 received definitive surgical treatment for their liver metastases. Fifty-two patients underwent lobectomy or wedge resection, 5 underwent cryotherapy, and 16 had a hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) inserted. Median follow-up duration of surgically treated patients was 26 months. Operative mortality was 1.3%. The 3-year actuarial survivals for patients who underwent resection, HAIP, or those with unresectable disease were 70 months, 32 months, and 3 months, respectively (P<.001). By multivariate analysis, surgical intervention, a carcinoembryonic antigen level less than 200 microg/L, or a low T stage of the primary tumor were associated with prolongation of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection should be attempted for hepatic colorectal metastases, as this is associated with prolonged overall survival. Hepatic artery infusion pump insertion seems to prolong overall survival for those with unresectable hepatic metastases, but it is not equal to resection. Aggressive surgical management of patients with hepatic colorectal metastases is safe, may prolong overall survival, and therefore should be considered in all patients with metastases confined to the liver.     

Hepatic resection of colorectal metastases. Influence of clinical factors and adjuvant intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil via Tenckhoff catheter on survival.

This report analyzes an experience with 33 hepatic resections for metastatic colorectal cancer over a 7-year period and with intraperitoneal 5-FU administered as a postresection adjuvant in 21 of these patients. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of clinical determinants of postresection survival. There was no operative mortality in this series. Postoperative complications occurred in 27% of patients, and the incidence of complications correlated with intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.002). Two- and 4-year estimated survivals were 72% and 53%, respectively. Patients with three or fewer metastases resected or with unilobar disease had improved survival when compared with patients having more than three metastases or bilobar disease, respectively (p less than 0.05). Disease-free survival was improved in patients with microscopically negative resection margins (p = 0.019). Dukes' stage of the primary lesion, interval between bowel resection and detection of hepatic metastases, method of detection of metastases, preoperative CEA level, and type of operation performed were not predictive of postresection survival. Intraperitoneal 5-FU was well tolerated. There was a trend toward improved survival in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, but this was not statistically significant. It is concluded that the number of metastases resected, the distribution of the metastases, and the technical adequacy of the excision are all predictive of outcome following hepatic resection of colorectal metastases. Encouraging results with the use of intraperitoneal 5-FU as a postresection adjuvant have led to the initiation of a prospective randomized trial investigating this modality at the NCI.     

Combination of hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases

Between 1964 and 1981, seventy-two Japanese patients with gastric cancer associated with hepatic metastases, in whom the primary tumor had been resected, were treated in a nonrandomized manner at the Second Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Hospital. Fourteen received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of 5-FU and Mitomycin C (MMC) combined with systemic chemotherapy, 26 combination systemic chemotherapy of MMC, Futraful and PSK, 18 single drug (MMC) therapy, and 14 no chemotherapy. The average survival was 264 days in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 208 in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 156 in the single drug therapy and 135 in those given no chemotherapy. One year survival and nine month survival rates were 21.4 per cent and 42.9 per cent in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 11.5 per cent and 19.2 per cent in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 5.6 per cent and 11.1 per cent in the single drug therapy and 7.1 per cent and 14.3 per cent in the no chemotherapy group, respectively (HAI vs single drug therapy and no chemotherapy, p<0.01). Five of 14 patients treated with HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy showed a partial response (>50 per cent reduction in tumor size), and the average survival time was 335 days, while that of nonresponders was 224 days. Six of 14 patients treated with combination infusion therapy with MMC and 5-FU survived 314 days, as compared to 201 days for patients with infusion of 5-FU alone.     

Combination of hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases

Between 1964 and 1981, seventy-two Japanese patients with gastric cancer associated with hepatic metastases, in whom the primary tumor had been resected, were treated in a nonrandomized manner at the Second Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Hospital. Fourteen received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of 5-FU and Mitomycin C (MMC) combined with systemic chemotherapy, 26 combination systemic chemotherapy of MMC, Futraful and PSK, 18 single drug (MMC) therapy, and 14 no chemotherapy. The average survival was 264 days in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 208 in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 156 in the single drug therapy and 135 in those given no chemotherapy. One year survival and nine month survival rates were 21.4 per cent and 42.9 per cent in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 11.5 per cent and 19.2 per cent in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 5.6 per cent and 11.1 per cent in the single drug therapy and 7.1 per cent and 14.3 per cent in the no chemotherapy group, respectively (HAI vs single drug therapy and no chemotherapy, p less than 0.01). Five of 14 patients treated with HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy showed a partial response (greater than 50 per cent reduction in tumor size), and the average survival time was 335 days, while that of nonresponders was 224 days. Six of 14 patients treated with combination infusion therapy with MMC and 5-FU survived 314 days, as compared to 201 days for patients with infusion of 5-FU alone.     

Adjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy after curative resection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Results of a pilot study in 30 patients

OBJECTIVE: Five-year survival after simple resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma ranges from 20 to 40%. The aim was to study the reliability and long term results of adjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy after resection of colorectal liver metastases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1991 to 1997, 30 patients after a complete resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer were included (16 men, 14 women, mean age: 62 years). There were 2 stage I, 19 stages II, 2 stages III, 5 stages IV and 2 stages V according to Gayowski staging system. During laparotomy, a catheter was placed in the gastroduodenal artery in order to perfuse the proper hepatic artery. Chemotherapy included 5 Fluorouracil (12 mg/m2) and Leucovorin (200 mg/m2) and was administered once a week during six months. Mean follow-up was 52 months. RESULTS: Adjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy had to be interrupted before six months in 9 patients because leukopenia (n = 2), infection or obstruction of the catheter (n = 5), duodenal migration of the catheter (n = 1) and occurrence of multiple extrahepatic metastases (n = 1). No death was in relation with the method. Five-year survival rate was 41.8% for the global series. Five-year disease free survival rate was 21.4%. Causes of death were: hepatic recurrence only (n = 3), extrahepatic + hepatic recurrence (n = 4), extrahepatic recurrence (n = 2). Two patients died of another carcinoma (esophagus, ovary), without evidence of recurrence of the colorectal carcinoma. At the present, there is a recurrence in 4 living patients. CONCLUSION: Although the benefit on survival is not significant, these results suggest a longest time of remission in patients with adjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy. Trials comparing and/or combining this method to intravenous chemotherapy should be proposed in patients after resection of colorectal liver metastases.     

Outcome after simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resection for colorectal cancer with synchronous metastases

BACKGROUND: Consensus has not been reached concerning the timing of hepatectomy in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, specifically with respect to patient selection criteria for simultaneous resection of the colorectal primary and the liver metastasis. METHODS: Retrospectively obtained clinicopathologic data for 39 consecutive patients with synchronous colorectal cancer metastases to the liver, who underwent curative simultaneous "1-stage" hepatectomy and resection of the colorectal primary at 1 institution, were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis concerning the safety and success of the combined procedure. RESULTS: Only the volume of the resected liver was selected as a risk factor for postoperative complications (350 g mean resected liver volume in patients with postoperative complications vs 150 g in those without complications; P <.05). Patient age of 70 years or older (P <.05) and poorly differentiated or mucinous adenocarcinoma as the primary lesion (P <.01) predicted decreased overall survival by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis retained histologic differentiation of the colorectal primary as an independent survival predictor (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 1-stage procedure appears desirable for synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases except for patients requiring resection of more than 1 hepatic section, patients aged 70 years or older, and those with poorly differentiated or mucinous adenocarcinomas as primary lesions.     

Prognostic factors in survival of colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis

Aim To determine the factors affecting the survival in colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases. Method A total of 168 patients who had been treated colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases at Guangxi Medical University from January 2000 to December 2005 were identified. Criteria studied consisted of gender, age, time of symptoms, primary tumour location, primary tumour circumference, histological type, grade (tumour differentiation), T‐status, N‐status, large bowel obstruction, type of operation, primary tumour resection, ascities, location, number and diameter of liver lesions, preoperative CEA and chemotherapy. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis was conducted by Cox regression analysis. Results The mean survival time for all patients was 18.71 (SEM = 1.59) months. The 1, 2, 3 and 5‐year survival rates were 55.95%, 23.21%, 12.30%, 8.0% respectively. Univariate analysis share of grade (tumour differentiation), N‐status, large bowel obstruction, operation, primary tumour resection, location, number and the most diameter of liver lesions, extrahepatic transfer, preoperative CEA level and chemotherapy to be predictors of survival. In the Cox regression analysis, the N‐status, large bowel obstruction, operation, diameter of liver lesion and extrahepatic transfer were independent factors related to survival. Conclusion Tumour differentiation, N‐status, bowel obstruction, operation, primary tumour resection, location of liver metastasis, number of liver metastasis, diameter of liver metastasis, extrahepatic transfer, preoperative CEA level and chemotherapy are related to the survival of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases.     

A population-based study of the incidence, management and prognosis of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate the incidence, management and prognosis of patients with hepatic metastases related to colorectal cancer using data from the Digestive Cancer Registry of Calvados, France. METHODS: Of 1325 patients with colorectal cancer registered between January 1994 and December 1999, 358 developed hepatic metastases. Logistic regression was used to analyse prognostic factors. Survival analysis was carried out with Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Some 18.8 per cent of patients had synchronous metastases, while 29.3 per cent developed metastases at 3 years. Of patients with hepatic metastases, 17.3 per cent had a surgical resection, 40.2 per cent were treated with palliative chemotherapy and 42.5 per cent had symptomatic treatment. Factors associated with receiving symptomatic treatment only were age over 75 years and more than one metastasis, but not place of treatment. Median survival after a diagnosis of hepatic metastases was 10.7 (range 4.6-23.1) months. Significant adverse prognostic factors were: age over 75 years (P = 0.001), lymph node invasion of primary tumour (P = 0.024), bilateral distribution of metastases (P = 0.001), other metastases (P = 0.004) and symptomatic treatment only (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in treatment for hepatic metastases, age and extent of disease remain limiting factors for surgical resection and palliative chemotherapy.     

结直肠癌肝转移的外科治疗

目的　探讨结、直肠癌肝转移的外科治疗。方法　对１９９３ 年１ 月至１９９９ 年１ 月的１９ 例结、直肠癌肝转移患者行外科治疗。其中６ 例同期切除,１０ 例分期切除,１ 例肝动脉结扎加无水乙醇注射,２ 例通过肝动脉结扎加化学药物治疗（化疗） 泵灌注化疗而获得二期手术切除机会。手术方式行肝不规则楔形切除１６ 例,左半肝切除２ 例。结果　术后１、３、５ 年生存率分别为８９％ 、５８％ 、２１％ 。６ 例同期肝切除者平均生存期２３ 个月,１０ 例分期肝切除者的平均生存期为３２ 个月。结论　掌握手术时机和适应证,积极进行肝动脉灌注化疗,提高手术切除成功率是提高存活率的关键。