Resection of liver metastases of colorectal tumors. A uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors

Between September 1985 and December 1994, liver resections with curative intent were performed for liver metastases of colorectal primaries in 76 patients at the department for abdominal surgery of the university of Mainz. Perioperative morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 30.3% and 6.6% respectively. The 3- and 5-year survival rate was 53% and 36% respectively. For patients with complete tumor removal (R0 resection), excluding perioperative mortality, the following factors were associated with more prolonged survival after hepatic resection in univariate analysis. N1 stage of the colorectal primary compared to N2 stage (in patients with positive mesenterial lymph nodes); diameter of the largest metastasis between 2.1 and 3.5 cm; postoperative normalized CEA level (in patients with CEA level elevated to more than 4 ng/dl preoperatively); and wedge resections compared to hemihepatectomies. Regarding disease-free survival, only N1 stage of the colorectal primary compared to N2 stage and diameter of the largest metastasis between 2.1 and 3.5 cm had a positive influence. In multivariate analysis, the diameter of the largest metastasis was the only factor associated with survival time, while disease-free survival was influenced by the largest diameter of the metastasis, patient sex and N stage of the colorectal primary. Whether adjuvant therapies (systemic or regional chemotherapy) after curative resection of colorectal liver metastases is associated with better survival times remains an open question. Some of the above-mentioned prognostic factors may be helpful in selecting patients for entry into adjuvant therapy protocols.