肝门胆管癌的肝移植治疗：附6例报告

背景与目的 不可切除的肝内胆管癌（hCCA）患者可考虑行肝移植治疗,但在某些方面仍存在争议。因此,本研究总结6例肝移植治疗不可切除hCCA临床疗效,以期为临床诊治提供参考。方法 回顾性分析2015年1月—2021年3月6例在上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院行肝移植治疗并规律随访的hCCA患者临床病理资料与生存情况。结果 6例肝移植术式均为原位经典全肝移植,术后病理：肿块型2例,管壁浸润型2例,内生型2例;肿瘤直径>3 cm者4例;周围神经浸润2例;门静脉侵犯3例;肝内转移2例;腺鳞癌1例,腺癌5例。组织学分级3例中分化G2,3例低分化G3;pTMN分期分别为II期1例,IIIa期1例,IIIb期1例,IIIc期2例,IV期1例。随访期间,3例存活,其中2例合并肝硬化失代偿内生息肉型腺癌患者获得长期无瘤生存,1例肿块型腺癌患者术前经新辅助放化疗后目前无瘤存活20个月;死亡3例,其中1例肿块型腺鳞癌患者术后存活18个月,2例管壁浸润型腺癌患者分别存活2个月与24个月。术前减黄操作,术后联用免疫抑制剂和化疗药物对于患者生存期无明显影响。结论 hCCA患者中,对于合并肝硬化的内生息肉型腺癌,且术前排除淋巴结转移者,即使术前不行新辅助放化疗直接行肝移植也可取得较好的疗效,但对有淋巴结转移与神经周围浸润者疗效差。     

The Effect of Early Retransplantation on Early and Late Survival After Liver Transplantation

BackgroundEarly liver retransplantation after liver transplantation (LT) is the ultimate salvage procedure for irreversible graft failure. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of early retransplantation on 90-day and 5-year patient survival.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 2185 patients after LT in the period between 1997 and 2019. First, the patients undergoing first retransplantation within 6 months after initial LT were compared with naïve LT patients for early mortality (within 90 days). Second, to assess late survival, the patients who had retransplantation and survived at least 90 days post LT were compared with naïve LT patients for 5-year overall survival. The patients undergoing late retransplantation (>6 months) were excluded from analyses. Fisher's exact test was used to compare groups for early survival and log-rank test for late survival.ResultsThe cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival was 87.0%, 79.9%, 75.0%, respectively, and did not differ significantly between the groups. The patients undergoing early retransplantation had lower 90-day survival rate of 89.2% as compared to 95.7% for naïve LT patients (P < .001).ConclusionsThe early liver retransplantation has profound impact on post-LT 90-day survival; however, patients who survive that period can achieve long overall survival comparable with naïve LT patients.     

Surgical Therapy for Colorectal Metastases to the Liver

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the West and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 35 to 55% of patients with colorectal cancer develop hepatic metastases during the course of their disease. Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases represents the only chance at potential cure, and long-term survival can be achieved in 35 to 58% of patients after resection. The goal of hepatic resection should be to resect all metastases with negative histologic margins while preserving sufficient functional hepatic parenchyma. In patients with extensive metastatic disease who would otherwise be unresectable, ablative approaches can be used instead of or combined with hepatic resection. The use of portal vein embolization and preoperative chemotherapy may also expand the population of patients who are candidates for surgical treatment. Despite these advances, many patients still experience a recurrence after hepatic resection. More active systemic chemotherapy agents are now available and are being increasingly employed as adjuvant therapy either before or after surgery. Modern treatment of colorectal liver metastasis requires a multidisciplinary approach in an effort to increase the number of patients who may benefit from surgical treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.     

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.      

The potential use of extended criteria donors and eligible recipients in liver transplantation for unresectable colorectal liver metastases in Central Sweden

BackgroundUnresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is a condition with poor prognosis. A recent treatment alternative improving survival in patients with unresectable CRLM, has emerged with the introduction of liver transplantation (LT), yet not uncontroversial with the current organ shortage. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the potential of declined donors with acceptable risk as liver graft donors and patients with unresectable CRLM as potential recipients.MethodsAll declined donors in central Sweden and all patients with CRLM discussed at multidisciplinary team conference at Karolinska University Hospital, January 2013–October 2018, were identified. Donors were classified according to the European Committee Guide to the quality and safety of organs for transplantation and potential recipients were evaluated by selection criteria, based on studies on the Norwegian Secondary Cancer study database.ResultsOut of 1,462 evaluated potential donors, 62 (2.7 pmp) donors were identified, corresponding to 6–18% of the utilized donor pool. Out of 1,008 included patients with CRLM, 25 (2.1 pmp) potential recipients were recognized. Eligibility for LT and left-sided colon cancer were favorable prognostic factors.ConclusionsToday’s donor pool could increase with the use of extended criteria donors, which is sufficient and display an acceptable risk-benefit ratio for patients with unresectable CRLM. With current selection criteria a small subset of patients with unresectable CRLM are eligible recipients. This subset of patients has a better survival compared to patients ineligible for LT.     

Role of liver transplantation in the management of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors

INTRODUCTION: In the majority of patients transplanted for unresectable liver metastases, long-term results are disappointing because of early tumor recurrence. Due to its biologically less aggressive nature, neuroendocrine metastases (NM) may represent a good indication for liver transplantation (LT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and May 2000, five patients with NM were transplanted. The primary tumors were located in the pancreas (n=4) and the small bowel (n=1). In three cases there were symptoms related to hormone production: two carcinoids, and one gastrinoma. The management of primary tumors was sequential in three patients with the tumor being resected before LT (one Whipple procedure and two left pancreatectomies). In two patients the resections of the primary tumors and the LT were simultaneous namely one bowel resection and one left pancreatectomy. All patients were treated with chemotherapy. RESULTS: Two patients developed recurrent disease succumbing at 15 months (nonfunctioning NE pancreatic head tumor) and 17 months (carcinoid of the pancreatic tail) post-LT. Another patient died at 3 months post-LT due to technical complications. The other two patients are alive and free of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Despite the promising results obtained with LT for NM, our experience indicates that patients must be carefully selected. Perhaps the use of more aggressive chemotherapeutic protocols combined with an individualized approach will improve the results.     

Entecavir Combined With Short-term Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin in Preventing Hepatitis B Virus Recurrence in Liver Transplant Recipients

BackgroundThe combination of nucleoside analogs and long-term hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is considered to be the standard regimen for preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplant (LT). However, long-term use of HBIG causes many adverse effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nucleoside analogs entecavir combined with short-term HBIG in preventing HBV recurrence after LT.MethodsThis retrospective study assessed the effect a combination of entecavir and short-term HBIG in prophylaxis of HBV recurrence among 56 LT recipients who had undergone the procedure because of HBV-associated liver disease at our center between December 2017 and December 2021. All patients received entecavir treatment combined with HBIG for the prevention of hepatitis B recurrence, and HBIG treatment was withdrawn within 1 month. The patients were followed up to determine levels of hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb), and HBV-DNA and the recurrence rate of HBV.ResultsOnly 1 patient appeared positive for hepatitis B surface antigen at 2 months post-LT. The overall HBV recurrence rate was 1.8%. The HBsAb titers of all patients gradually decreased over time, with a median of 376.6 IU/L at 1 month post-LT and a median of 13.47 IU/L at 12 months post-LT. During the follow-up period, the HBsAb titer of the preoperative HBV-DNA–positive patients remained at a lower level than that of HBV-DNA–negative patients.ConclusionsEntecavir combined with short-term HBIG can exert a good effect for the prevention of HBV reinfection post-LT.     

晚期结直肠癌的超选择性动脉化疗栓塞治疗

目的探讨采用超液态碘化油+化疗药物治疗晚期结直肠癌的近期疗效及安全性。方法对50例结直肠癌患者行超液态碘化油+化疗药物超选择性化疗栓塞;伴转移者同时行转移灶化疗栓塞。观察介入术后患者症状改善情况、瘤体大小变化及并发症;介入术后可接受外科手术切除者,观察术中瘤体切除情况。结果介入术后1个月复查,部分缓解41例,病情稳定7例,疾病进展2例,无完全缓解患者;有效率82.00%(41/50)。12例患者行瘤体切除手术,外科术中可见瘤体活动度增加,与周围组织界限清晰。介入术后患者临床症状均明显改善,未出现肠穿孔等严重并发症。结论采用超液态碘化油+化疗药物行化疗栓塞可安全、有效地控制结直肠癌,增加晚期结直肠癌的手术机会,同时行转移灶介入治疗疗效确切。     

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.     

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??Treatment strategies for management of colorectal cancer liver metastases YE Ying-jiang, WANG Shan. Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China Corresponding author:YE Ying-jiang, E-mail:yjye101@yahoo.com.cn Abstract Liver metastases is the most common distant metastasis of colorectal cancer. Surgical resection is believed the only effective treatment for metastatic hepatic cancer currently. With increased experience and multiple disciplines development, the surgical indication for metastatic liver cancer has been expanded gradually, and the standard of hepatic surgery has also been improved constantly. Importantly, multidisciplinary team (MDT) model remains the fundamental for optimal treatment for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The participation of MDT brings more opportunities for metastatic liver cancer, and improves the surgery outcomes indirectly. Diagnostic radiology is an important way for R0 resection of metastatic liver cancer; the intraoperative ultrasound increases metastatic liver cancer detection rate and surgery safety. Preoperative chemotherapy brings operation opportunity for those patients with initially unresectable lesions, and postoperative adjuvant therapy contributes to reduce the post-operation recurrence and metastasis. Radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic resection provides unresectable metastatic liver cancer the best opportunity for long term survival.     

The role of liver transplantation for colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and pooled analysis

BackgroundLiver transplantation (LT) has gained interest in the treatment of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) over the last two decades. Despite the initial poor outcomes, recent reports from countries with graft abundance have provided further insights in the potential of LT as a treatment for unresectable CRLM.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Web of Science databases (end-of-search date: January 27th, 2020) to identify relevant studies. Pooled overall and recurrence-free survival analysis at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was conducted with the Kaplan-Meier (Product Limit) method.ResultsEighteen studies comprising 110 patients were included. The population consisted of 59.8% males with a mean age of 52.3 ± 9.3 years. CRLM diagnosis was synchronous in 83%, while 99% received chemotherapy, and 39% received liver resection prior to LT. The mean time from primary tumor resection to LT was 39.5 ± 32.5 months, the mean post-LT follow-up was 32.1 ± 22.2 months, and the mean time to recurrence was 15.0 ± 11.3 months. The pooled 6-month, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.7% (95%CI: 89.1%–98.4%), 88.1% (95%CI: 79.6%–93.2%), 74.6% (95%CI: 64.2%–82.3%), 58.4% (95%CI: 47.2%–62.0%), and 50.5% (95%CI: 39.0%–61.0%), respectively. The pooled 6-months, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 77.2% (95%CI: 67.2%–84.5%), 59.9% (95%CI: 49.0%–69.2%), 42.4% (95%CI: 31.8%–52.6%), 30.7% (95%CI: 20.9%–41.1%), and 25.6% (95%CI: 16.2%–36.0%), respectively.ConclusionLT should be considered in patients with unresectable liver-only CRLM under strict selection criteria and only under well-designed research protocols. Ongoing studies are expected to further elucidate the indications and prognosis of patients undergoing LT for unresectable CRLM.     

Successful Surgical Resection and Chemotherapy for Unresectable Hepatoblastoma With Pulmonary Metastases and for Lung Recurrence After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

BackgroundLiver transplantation (LTx) is indicated for unresectable hepatoblastoma (HB) without distal metastasis. However, to our knowledge, there is no consensus on the management of unresectable HB with pulmonary metastases, or on the treatment of recurrent HB. We report a successful case of metastatic HB treated with repeated lung resection, chemotherapy, and LTx. This study strictly complied with the Helsinki Congress and the Istanbul Declaration regarding donor source.Case ReportOur case was a 1-year-old boy who developed pre-treatment extent of disease (PRETEXT) Ⅲ HB with multiple pulmonary metastases. The liver tumor was unresectable because it involved all hepatic veins. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin/carboplatin plus doxorubicin), the remaining 2 pulmonary metastases were resected and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was performed. Five months after LDLT, a tumor recurrence was detected in the right lung. Repeat lung resection was performed followed by 1 cycle of chemotherapy (carboplatin plus doxorubicin). There has been no recurrence for 18 months since the last lung resection.DiscussionPrevious reports revealed that 14 patients, including the present case, underwent LTx after resection of metastatic HB pulmonary lesions. Of these patients, the 2-year survival rate after LTx was 91%. Recurrence was reported in 5 patients, 2 of whom were successfully treated with repeated resection of the metastatic lesions. LTx after resection of lung recurrence may be a potential treatment for unresectable HB with pulmonary metastases.     

Experience in Liver Transplantation Due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Single Center Experience

PurposePrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown origin. Although the course of PSC is variable, it frequently is progressive, leading to cirrhosis and requiring a liver transplantation (LT) in more than half of the patients. PSC is the fifth most common indication for LT in the United States and one of the leading indications in Scandinavian countries, whereas PSC affects fewer than 5% of patients undergoing LT in Turkey. In this study, we analyzed our results in the patients with LT owing to PSC.Materials and MethodsBetween March 2013 and August 2017, all adult patients (>18 years) with LT owing to PSC were analyzed, and clinical data were obtained via retrospective review of patient charts. Demographic features, presence of any concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), time to LT, and outcome data were recorded.ResultsThere were 15 patients (8 men and 7 women) with a mean age of 46 ± 13 (age at diagnosis = 36 y). Median time to transplantation was 3 years (range: .5–14 yrs.). All patients had a pretransplant history of IBD. Concomitant cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in 1 patient (6.5%). Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (26%), and in 2 patients (13%) PSC recurred at a mean of 52 months postorthotopic LT. Disease-free survival and overall survival were 37.3 and 38 ± 21 months, respectively. One of the patients with recurrence and 1 with graft failure owing to rejection died in the follow-up period.ConclusionsIn one single-center study of adults with PSC, we found that all patients with PSC had IBD at diagnosis. The recurrence rate (13%) was comparable to the literature (20% [5.7–59%]). Despite the low frequency of PSC in our clinic, LT in these patients resulted in favorable outcomes regarding postoperative morbidity and mortality compared with other etiologies.     

Liver resection after downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for "unresectable" colorectal metastases

Hepatic resection is the only treatment that offers a chance of long-term survival in patients with metastases from colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, a curative resection can be performed in only 10-20 per cent of patients: multiple bilobar metastases or "unresectable" disease are the greatest obstacles to surgical radicality. Techniques such as preoperative portal embolisation, preoperative portal ligation, two-stage hepatectomy, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, have extended the possibility of liver surgery to patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. The outcomes of two patients treated successfully with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (one case with FOL-F-OX, and one with FOL-F-IRI) followed by liver resection were analyzed. In both patients neoadjuvant chemotherapy enabled a curative liver resection to be performed without significant complications. In some patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy permits the "downsizing" of metastatic disease to such an extent that a surgical approach proves feasible. This advance can dramatically improve the prognosis of patients with multiple or unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.     

Factors Affecting the Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Purpose: To determine factors affecting the survival of colorectal cancer patients developing liver metastasis.

Material and methods: 850 colorectal cancer patients who had been operated on between 1995 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed and patients who developed liver metastases were selected. Patients’ demographics and data regarding the characteristics and management of primary tumors and liver metastases were assessed. Survival data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard method to identify factors affecting prognosis of such patients. Results: 154 (18.1%) patients developed liver metastasis; however, only 60 patients (39 males and 21 females; median age: 61 (31–77) years) had complete follow-up data, of whom 28 had undergone metastasis resection. The median survival time of patients who underwent resection and who did not was 42 (22–118) vs. 13 (2–52) months (p < 0.001). Curative resection of the primary tumor (p = 0.32; Exp(B) = 2.93), metastases that were less than 5 in number and localized to one of the right or left lobes (p = 0.004; Exp(B) = 3.38), and surgical resection of the metastases (p = 0.001; Exp(B) = 3.76) were independent risk factors.

Conclusions: Patients with colorectal liver metastases that are less than 5 and confined into one lobe, could benefit from metastasis surgery most if the primary tumor is resected.     

Photodynamic Therapy Provides Local Control of Cholangiocarcinoma in Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation

Many transplant centers use endoscopically directed brachytherapy to provide locoregional control in patients with otherwise incurable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) who are awaiting liver transplantation (LT). The use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)‐directed photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an alternative to brachytherapy for providing locoregional control in this patient population has not been studied. The aim of this study was to report on our initial experience using ERCP‐directed PDT to provide local control in patients with unresectable CCA who were awaiting LT. Patients with unresectable CCA who underwent protocol‐driven neoadjuvant chemoradiation and ERCP‐directed PDT with the intent of undergoing LT were reviewed. Four patients with confirmed or suspected CCA met the inclusion criteria for protocol LT. All four patients (100%) successfully underwent ERCP‐directed PDT. All patients had chemoradiation dose delays, and two patients had recurrent cholangitis despite PDT. None of these patients had progressive locoregional disease or distant metastasis following PDT. All four patients (100%) underwent LT. Intention‐to‐treat disease‐free survival was 75% at mean follow‐up of 28.1 months. In summary, ERCP‐directed PDT is a reasonably well tolerated and safe procedure that may have benefit by maintaining locoregional tumor control in patients with CCA who are awaiting LT.     

Liver resection for colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second commonest malignancy in the UK. Metastases to the liver occur in greater than 50% of patients and remain the biggest determinant of outcome in these patients. Liver resection is a safe procedure that achieves good long-term survival, but surgery has traditionally been limited to select groups of patients. The improved outcome suggests that more patients could benefit from resection if more was known of what criteria are predictive of a good outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients undergoing surgical resection of the liver for colorectal metastases between March 1989 and March 2001 in the Birmingham Liver Unit. RESULTS: During this period, 212 liver resections for colorectal cancer metastases were performed in 82 females and 130 males. The median follow-up was 16 months with an overall actuarial survival of 86% at 1 year, 54% at 3 years, and 28% at 5 years. The peri-operative mortality was 2.8%. The number and timing (metachronous or synchronous) of metastatic lesions, the gender of the patient, pathological staging of the primary lesion or surgical resection margins had no significant influence on survival. Patients with lesions less than 5 cm in size had a significantly prolonged survival compared with patients with lesions greater than 5 cm in size (P < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection is the only curative treatment for patients with colorectal metastases. The long-term survival reported in patients with resected colorectal metastases confined to the liver is comparable to primary surgery for solid gastrointestinal tumours. Every attempt must be made to increase the availability of liver resection to patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.     

Five-Year Survival Following Hepatic Resection After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Nonresectable Colorectal [Liver] Metastases

Background: Surgical resection is the most effective treatment for colorectal liver metastases but only a minority of patients are candidates for a potentially curative resection. Our experience with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by resection and five years survival analysis of the patients treated is presented.Methods: Between February of 1988 and September of 1996, 701 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Four categories of nonresectable disease were defined: large size, ill location, multinodularity, and extrahepatic disease. Liver resection was performed in those patients whose disease became resectable. After resection, the patients were followed up every 3 months. A 5-year survival analysis by the different categories described was performed.Results: Ninety-five patients (13.5%) were found to be resectable on reevaluation and underwent a potentially curative resection. There was no perioperative mortality, and the complication rate was 23%. As of December of 1999, 87 patients have completed 5 years of follow-up. The overall 5-year survival is 35% from the time of resection and 39% from the onset of chemotherapy. Respective 5-year survival rates are 60% for large tumors, 49% for ill-located lesions, 34% for multinodular disease, and 18% for liver metastases with extrahepatic disease. In this latter category, however, a 35% 5-year survival was found when all the patients with extrahepatic disease were analyzed rather than only those for whom extrahepatic disease was the main cause of nonresectability.Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy enables liver resection in some patients with initially unresectable colorectal metastases. Long-term survival is similar to that reported for a priori surgical candidates.     

Optimizing the selection of technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases

BackgroundThe prediction of conversion surgery in patients with technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases has not been generalized or well-established. We developed a predictive model for conversion surgery and assessed the long-term outcomes of patients with technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases.MethodsIn this single-center, retrospective study, we analyzed the perioperative parameters and outcomes of 892 consecutive patients (2014–2021). Conversion surgery was indicated when the chemotherapy response allowed the complete resection of colorectal liver metastases with negative margins and adequate remnant liver volume.ResultsOf the 892 patients, 122 had technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases; 61 underwent conversion surgery (conversion surgery group) and 61 did not (nonconversion surgery group). The median overall survival was significantly higher in the conversion surgery group than in the nonconversion surgery group (5.6 vs 1.8 years, P < .001). After univariate and multivariate analyses, the predictive model for conversion surgery was constructed using 4 predictive factors: Rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog status (mutant, +2 points), tumor number (≥15, +1), hepatic vein contact (≥2 hepatic veins, +1), and the presence of preservable sections (absence of preservable sections, +2). The area under the curve for conversion surgery was 0.889. Patients were graded according to the scores (A [0–2], B [3–4], and C [5–6]), and the conversion rates were 91.5% (A), 32.6% (B), and 10.3% (C) (P < .001). Grade A patients (median survival time, 5.7 years) had significantly better overall survival than grade B and C patients (median survival time, 2.2 and 1.6 years, respectively; P < .001).ConclusionPatients who underwent conversion surgery for technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases had better prognoses, and our novel predictive model was useful in predicting conversion surgery and prognosis.