Prognostic factors and time-related changes influence results of colorectal liver metastases surgical treatment:A single-center analysis

AIM:To analyze the prognostic factors involved in survival and cancer recurrence in patients undergoing surgical treatment for colorectal liver metastases(CLM) and to describe the effects of time-related changes on survival and recurrence in these patients.METHODS:From January 1994 to January 2006,236 patients with CLM underwent surgery with the aim of performing curative resection of neoplastic disease at our institution and 189(80%) of these patients underwent resection of CLM with curative intention.Preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative data,including primary tumor and CLM pathology results,were retrospectively reviewed.Patients were divided into two time periods:a first period from January 1994 to January 2000(n = 93),and a second period from February 2000 to January 2006(n = 143).RESULTS:Global survival at 1,3 and 5 years in patients undergoing hepatic resection was 91%,54% and 47%,respectively.Patients with preoperative extrahepatic disease,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) levels over 20 ng/dL,more than four nodules or extrahepatic invasion at pathological analysis had worse survival.Tumor recurrence rate at 1 year was 48.3%,being more frequent in patients with preoperative and pathological extrahepatic disease and CEA levels over 20 ng/dL.Although patients in the second time period had more adverse prognostic factors,no differences in overall survival and recurrence were observed between the two periods.CONCLUSION:Despite advances in surgical technique and better adjuvant treatments and preoperative imaging,careful patient staging and selection is crucial to continue offering a chance of cure to patients with CLM.