Influence of Margins on Overall Survival After Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Metastasis: A Meta-Analysis

Critical review of the prognostic significance of pathological variables in patients undergoing resection for colorectal liver metastases

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors, particularly pathological variables, that influence disease-free and overall survival following resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

METHODS

Patients undergoing CRLM resection from January 2005 to December 2011 were included. Data analysed included information on demographics, laboratory results, operative findings, histopathological features and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 259 patients were included. Of these, 138 (53.3%) patients developed recurrent disease, of which 95 died. The median length of follow-up in the remaining patients was 28 months (range: 12-96 months). There were significant associations between recurrence and higher tumour number (P = 0.002), presence of perineural invasion (P = 0.009) and positive margin (R1) resection (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed all three prognostic factors to be independent predictors of disease-free survival. Significantly poorer overall survival after hepatic resection for CRLM was observed in patients undergoing hemi-hepatectomy or more radical resection (P = 0.021), patients with a higher number of tumours (P = 0.024) and patients with perineural invasion (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed perineural invasion to be the only independent predictor of overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of perineural invasion, multiple tumours and an R1 margin were associated with recurrent disease. Perineural invasion was also an independent prognostic factor with respect to overall survival.

Impact of margin status and neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival, recurrence after liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to determine the impact of positive margin and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on recurrence and survival after resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

METHODS

Prospective analysis of 1,255 patients undergoing resection of CLRM was undertaken. The impact of NAC, site of recurrence, and survival between R0 and R1 groups was analysed.

RESULTS

The R0 and R1 resection rates were 68.9 % (n = 865) and 31.1 % (390). The median OS for R0 group was 2.7 years (95 % CI 2.56-2.85) and R1 group 2.28 years (CI 2.06-2.52; P < 0.001). The median DFS for R0 group was 1.52 years (CI 1.38-1.66) and R1 group 1.04 years (CI 0.94-1.19; P < 0.001). The intrahepatic recurrence was higher in R1 group 132 (33.8 %) versus 142 (16.4 %) [P = 0.0001]. A total of 103 (11.9 %) patients in R0 group underwent redo liver resection for recurrence compared with 66 (16.9 %) patients in R1 group (P = 0.016). NAC did not impact recurrence rate (57.8 % vs. 61.5 %, P = 0.187) and redo liver surgery between R0 and R1 groups (13 % vs. 17 %, P = 0.092). Within the R1 group, the intrahepatic recurrence rates were similar with and without NAC (33.9 % vs. 33.7 %, P = 0.669). However, DFS was longer in the no chemotherapy group than the chemotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

R1 resections increase the likelihood of recurrence in the liver and redo liver surgery. NAC does not seem to improve survival in margin positive patients or have an impact on recurrence or reduce need for redo liver surgery for recurrence. In patients with R1 resection, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may have adverse outcome on disease free survival.

One-millimeter cancer-free margin is curative for colorectal liver metastases: a propensity score case-match approach

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of clear surgical resection margin width on disease recurrence rate after intentionally curative resection of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND

There is consensus that a histological positive resection margin is a predictor of disease recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases. The dispute, however, over the width of cancer-free resection margin required is ongoing.

METHODS

Analysis of observational prospectively collected data for 2715 patients who underwent primary resection of colorectal liver metastases from 2 major hepatobiliary units in the United Kingdom. Histological cancer-free resection margin was classified as positive (if cancer cells present at less than 1 mm from the resection margin) or negative (if the distance between the cancer and the margin is 1 mm or more). The negative margin was further classified according to the distance from the tumor in millimeters. Predictors of disease-free survival were analyzed in univariate and multivariate analyses. A case-match analysis by a propensity score method was undertaken to reduce bias.

RESULTS

A 1-mm cancer-free resection margin was sufficient to achieve 33% 5-year overall disease-free survival. Extra margin width did not add disease-free survival advantage (P > 0.05). After the propensity case-match analysis, there is no statistical difference in disease-free survival between patients with negative narrow and wider margin clearance [hazard ratio (HR) 1.0; 95% (confidence interval) CI: 0.9-1.2; P = 0.579 at 5-mm cutoff and HR 1.1; 95% CI: 0.96-1.3; P = 0.149 at 10-mm cutoff]. Patients with extrahepatic disease and positive lymph node primary tumor did not have disease-free survival advantage despite surgical margin clearance (9 months for <1-mm vs 12 months for ≥1-mm margin clearance; P = 0.062).

CONCLUSION

One-mm cancer-free resection margin achieved in patients with colorectal liver metastases should now be considered the standard of care.

Retrospective analysis of pathological response in colorectal cancer liver metastases following treatment with bevacizumab

AIMS

Pathological response has been shown to be a predictor for survival after preoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases. This retrospective analysis evaluated the effect on pathological response of adding bevacizumab to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and liver metastases.

METHODS

Patient records from two Spanish centres were retrospectively examined for this analysis. Patients were included if they had stage IV mCRC with liver metastases, were unresectable or marginally resectable tumour before chemotherapy, and had oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, before resection. Tumour response was evaluated using response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST). Pathological response was assessed by pathologists blinded to treatment.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were included. Good pathological responses (PR0/PR1) were observed in 37 patients (39 %). The RECIST response rate was 51 %. Only 42 % of patients with a good pathological response had a complete or partial response according to RECIST, while 57 % of those with a poor pathological response had a complete or partial response according to RECIST. RECIST response rates were similar with and without bevacizumab, although 49 % of bevacizumab-treated patients had a good pathological response versus 27 % of those receiving chemotherapy alone (χ (2) P = 0.0302).

CONCLUSION

Pathological response may be a better indicator of treatment efficacy than RECIST for patients with mCRC receiving bevacizumab in the neoadjuvant setting. Adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy has the potential to increase pathological response rates. Well-designed prospective clinical studies are required to establish the efficacy and tolerability of this approach.

Surgical margin size in hepatic resections for colorectal metastasis: impact on recurrence and survival

BACKGROUND

Approximately 50% of the patients with a colorectal tumor develop liver metastasis, for which hepatectomy is the standard care. Several prognostic factors have been discussed, among which is the surgical margin. This is a recurring issue, since no consensus exists as to the minimum required distance between the metastatic nodule and the liver transection line.

AIM

To evaluate the surgical margins in liver resections for colorectal metastases and their correlation with local recurrence and survival.

METHODS

A retrospective study based on the review of the medical records of 91 patients who underwent resection of liver metastases of colorectal cancer. A histopathological review was performed of all the cases; the smallest surgical margin was verified, and the late outcome of recurrence and survival was evaluated.

RESULTS

No statistical difference was found in recurrence rates and overall survival between the patients with negative or positive margins (R0 versus R1); likewise, there was no statistical difference between subcentimeter margins and those greater than 1 cm. The disease-free survival of the patients with microscopically positive margins was significantly worse than that of the patients with negative margins. The uni- and multivariate analyses did not establish the surgical margin (R1, narrow or less than 1 cm) as a risk factor for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The resections of liver metastases with negative margins, independently of the margin width, had no impact on tumor recurrence (intra- or extrahepatic) or patient survival.

Patient tailored resection planning in patients undergoing liver surgery for colorectal liver metastases; how and why should you do it?

BACKGROUND

A systematic preoperative evaluation to determine the individual resection strategy in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) was assessed as to its clinical value.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2009 to 2011, 75 patients with CRLM who were scheduled for surgery were prospectively included and received an additional preoperative systematic evaluation in the presence of a hepatobiliary radiologist and the hepatobiliary surgeon scheduled to perform the surgery. The following items were assessed in a standardized manner: lesion detection and characterization, presence of extrahepatic disease, vascular anatomy, and resection strategy. Intraoperative findings and histopathological results were prospectively recorded.

RESULTS

Five out of 75 patients were not considered to be eligible for surgery due to additional findings, such as additional metastases or extrahepatic disease. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of individual CRLM were 80.9% (95% CI 75.7-86.1%) and 69.1% (95% CI 59.1-79.1%), respectively. Radical resections were performed in 87.1%. There was one futile laparotomy (1.4%).

CONCLUSION

In patients with colorectal liver metastases, standardized preoperative work-up, with subsequent planning of an individualized resection in a jointed meeting of a hepatobiliary radiologist and the surgeon who will perform the operation, leads to a high level of radical resections and a low number of futile laparotomies.

Impact of hepatectomy margin on survival following resection of colorectal metastasis: the role of adjuvant therapy and its effects

INTRODUCTION

The optimal width of microscopic margin and the use of adjuvant therapy after a positive margin for hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRCLM) has not been conclusively determined. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the influence of width of surgical margin and adjunctive therapy upon disease free and overall survival.

METHODS

All patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRCLM from 1997 to 2012 were identified from a prospectively maintained, IRB approved database. Patients were divided into four subgroups based on the parenchymal margin: positive, <0.1 cm, 0.1 cm-1 cm, and >1 cm.

RESULTS

A total of 373 patients were included for analysis with a median follow up of 26 months (range 9-103 months) and a median overall survival of 53 months. The resection margin was positive (26 patients median OS 24 months), <0.1 cm (48 patients median OS 36 mon), 0.1 cm-1 cm (82 patients median OS 44 months), and >1 cm (217 patients median OS 64 months). The most common adjunctive therapy was chemotherapy, hepatic arterial therapy, or local. Patients with positive margins also had the shortest disease free survival (DFS), 16 months. The DFS was similar amongst the other margin groups (<0.1 cm: 21 months, 0.1-1 cm: 22 months, >1 cm 25 months). Hepatectomy margin independently influenced survival (p = 0.017) and disease free survival (p = 0.034). Patients with negative margins has similar overall recurrence rates (p = 0.36) and survival rates (p = 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

A positive surgical margin indicates a worse overall biology of disease for patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRCLM, and appropriate multi-disciplinary therapy should be considered in this high risk patient population. Marginal width if a complete resection has been achieved does not adversely effect overall surgical in patients with CRCLM.

Designing liver resections and pushing the envelope with resections for hepatic colorectal metastases

Current concepts in the management of hepatic metastases have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Multidisciplinary therapies including chemotherapy, surgery, and regional therapy have alone and in combination significantly improved the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Conditions that were previously considered hopeless and treated merely for palliation can now be approached with curative intent. In this paper, we review the surgical treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) and describe a paradigm-shift in the management of complex heretofore-considered unresectable CRLM. Utilizing advanced multidisciplinary treatment strategies has improved the prognosis of patients with stage IV colorectal cancer to the point where we may question whether CRLM are now a chronic disease.

Histopathological evaluation of resected colorectal cancer liver metastases: what should be done?

Histological reporting of hepatic resections of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) is limited to confirmation of diagnosis and evaluation of resection margins. More exhaustive diagnostic reporting might be warranted. Here, we critically and systematically review the potentially important histological prognostic factors in CRLM. Histological features such as intrahepatic spread, resection margins, and tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been defined. Intrahepatic spread (venous, lymphatic, bile duct and perineural invasion) was evaluated in a number of studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated a clear correlation between 5-year overall survival and both portal vein invasion (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.5) and lymphatic invasion (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.0). The impact of hepatic vein invasion and bile duct invasion on outcome is not clear. Perineural invasion was linked to survival in one study. Resection margin is an important prognostic factor; however, the significance of the width of negative margins remains controversial. Various studies have evaluated tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but different grading systems were used, and definite recommendations cannot be made. In conclusion, with the high incidence of CRLM and the increase in the number of hepatic resections, we need well-defined prognostic factors, studied in homogeneous patient populations, to optimize diagnostic work-up. This review identifies several of these factors.

Liver resection for colorectal liver metastases with peri-operative chemotherapy: oncological results of R1 resections

BACKGROUND

Retrospective analysis of outcomes of R0 (negative margin) versus R1 (positive margin) liver resections for colorectal metastases (CLM) in the context of peri-operative chemotherapy.

METHODS

All CLM resections between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included: macroscopically incomplete (R2) resections, the use of local treatment modalities, the presence of extra-hepatic disease and no peri-operative chemotherapy. R0/R1 status was based on pathological examination.

RESULTS

Of 86 eligible patients, 63 (73%) had R0 and 23 (27%) had R1 resections. The two groups were comparable for the number, size of metastases and type of hepatectomy. The R1 group had more bilobar CLM (52% versus 24%, P = 0.018). The median follow-up was 3.1 years. Five-year overall and disease-free survival were 54% and 21% for the R0 group and 49% and 22% for the R1 group (P = 0.55 and P = 0.39, respectively). An intra-hepatic recurrence was more frequent in the R1 group (52% versus 27%, P = 0.02) and occurred more frequently at the surgical margin (22% versus 3%, P = 0.01).

DISCUSSION

R1 resections were associated with a higher risk of intra-hepatic and surgical margin recurrence but did not negatively impact survival suggesting that in the era of efficient chemotherapy, the risk of an R1 resection should not be considered as a contraindication to surgery.

Long-term results and prognostic factors after resection of hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Resection of colorectal liver or lung metastases is an established therapeutical concept at present. However, an affection of both these organs is frequently still regarded as incurable.

METHODS

All cancer patients are documented in our prospective cancer registry since 1995. Data of patients who underwent liver and lung resection for colorectal metastases were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients underwent surgery for liver and lung metastases. In 33 cases, the first distant metastasis was diagnosed synchronously to the primary tumour. For the remaining patients, median time interval between primary tumour and first distant metastasis was 18 months (5-69 months). Complete resection was achieved in 51 patients (79 %) and was less likely in patients with synchronous disease (p = 0.017). Negative margins (p = 0.002), the absence of pulmonary involvement in synchronous metastases (p = 0.0003) and single metastases in both organs (p = 0.036) were associated with a better prognosis. Five- and 10-year survival rates for all patients are 57 and 15 % from diagnosis of the primary tumour, 37 and 14 % from resection of the first metastasis and 20 and 15 % from resection of the second metastasis. After complete resection, 5- and 10-year survival rates increased to 61 and 18 %, 43 and 17 % as well as 25 and 19 %, respectively. Long-term survivors (≥10 years) were seen only after complete resection of both metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with resectable liver and lung metastases of the colorectal primary should be considered for surgery after multidisciplinary evaluation regardless of the number or size of the metastases or the disease-free intervals. Clear resection margins are the strongest prognostic parameter.

Comparison of outcomes of transplantation and resection in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Surgical decision making for patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and well-compensated cirrhosis remains controversial. The aim of the current study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published reports to compare survival outcomes after transplantation and resection, respectively, in patients with early HCC [i.e. HCC falling within the Milan Criteria (a solitary lesion measuring ≤5 cm or fewer than three lesions with a largest diameter of ≤3 cm, and absence of macroscopic vascular invasion or extrahepatic disease)] and well-compensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

A total of 990 abstracts were identified through a PubMed-based search. Ten articles comparing transplantation and resection in patients with early HCC were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed using stata 9.2 statistical software.

RESULTS

Outcomes were analysed for a total of 1763 patients with early HCC. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for all patients was 58% (transplantation: 63%; resection: 53%). Meta-analysis of all 10 studies revealed a survival advantage for transplantation [odds ratio (OR) 0.581, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.359-0.939; P = 0.027]. Analysis of only those reports that utilized an 'intention-to-treat' strategy failed to demonstrate a survival advantage for either treatment approach (OR 0.600, 95% CI 0.291-1.237; P = 0.166).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrates a favourable outcome in patients with early HCC treated by either transplantation or resection. Although transplantation was noted to have a survival advantage in some settings, resection continues to be a viable treatment approach.

Influence of margins on disease free survival following hepatic resection for colorectal metastasis: a meta-analysis

The aim of our study was to conduct a meta-analysis of reports published on hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and determine if a negative margin ≥1 cm confers a disease free survival (DFS) advantage over sub-centimeter negative margins. The 357 initially selected articles were screened to identify 90 articles of interest of which eleven were finally included in the meta-analysis. Patients with positive margins were excluded from the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 9.2 statistical software. A total of 1,989 patients with negative margins from the eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The 5-year DFS for all patients was 27.9 % (95 % CI 23.5 % to 32.2 %). The 5-year DFS for ≥1 cm negative margin subgroup was 34.4 % (95 % CI 27.97 % to 40.7 %) when compared to 21.0 % (95 % CI 17.4 % to 24.7 %) for <1 cm negative margin subgroup. The odds ratio for ≥1 cm negative margins was found to be 0.552 (95 % CI 0.408 to 0.747, p < 0.001) when compared to <1 cm negative margins. The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that in patients undergoing hepatic resection for CRLM, a negative margin ≥ 1 cm may confer a better DFS compared with a sub-centimeter negative margin.

Resection margin with anatomic or nonanatomic hepatectomy for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

When hepatectomy is used as a primary treatment for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRCLM), the balance between surgical curability and functional preservation of the remnant liver is of great importance.

METHODS

A total of 108 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for CRCLM were retrospectively analyzed with respect to tumor extent, operative method, and prognosis, including recurrence.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) for all patients were 90.5%, 77.8%, 63.2%, and 51.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) level after hepatectomy (<36 or ≥36 mAU/mL) and presence of recurrence as independent prognostic factors of OS (P = 0.0458 and 0.0249, respectively), and tumor depth of colorectal cancer (<se (a2) vs. ≥se (a2)) and serum CA 19-9 level after hepatectomy as the significant factors affecting disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.0025 and 0.00138, respectively). Neither resection margin nor type of hepatectomy (anatomic or nonanatomic) for CRCLM was a significant prognostic factor for OS or DFS or CRCLM recurrence, including intrahepatic recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In CRCLM, we believe that nonanatomic hepatectomy with narrow margin is indicated, and optimal treatment would include functional preservation of as much of the remnant liver as possible.

Histologic evaluation of intrahepatic micrometastases in patients treated with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) is relatively rare and it occurs almost exclusively in women. We recently experienced three cases of SPN diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). These three cases were two male and one female patient whose age was 29, 37, and 44 years old. Radiological diagnosis was pancreatic endocrine tumor (PEN) showing solid with a heterogenous echogenicity. EUS-FNA cytology specimens consisted of single cells and aggregates of uniform cells, forming microadenoid structures, branching, papillary clusters with delicate fibrovascular cores. In conclusion, a single diagnosis of SPN based on clinical and radiological findings would be risky because there is a possibility of it being misdiagnosed as PEN or other malignancies. An EUS-FNA is therefore essential for establishing the diagnosis. In addition, the pathologists should recognize the characteristic cytologic findings with immunoprofiles of SPN to prevent misdiagnosis of SPN.