Simultaneous resection for synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases: A feasibility clinical trial

Health-Related Quality of Life Following Simultaneous Resection for Synchronous Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

INTRODUCTION

Up to 25% of colorectal cancer patients present with synchronous liver metastases that can be treated with two operations or a single 'simultaneous' operation. Morbidity and mortality appear similar between approaches, however changes in health-related quality-of-life following simultaneous resection are not well reported.

METHODS

A prospective, feasibility trial for simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases was conducted. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and LMC21 at baseline (preoperatively), and 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Week 4 and 12 scores were compared with baseline using t-tests. Minimally important clinical differences were considered as a 10-point difference from baseline.

RESULTS

C30 and QLQ-LMC21 were completed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks by 39 (95%), 35 (85%) and 34 (83%) patients, and 39 (95%), 33 (80%) and 33 (80%) patients, respectively; 79% and 75% had at least one MICD according to QLQ-C30 at 4 and 12 weeks. At 4 weeks, physical functioning (mean difference (MD) - 11.9%, p = 0.002), role functioning (MD - 23.6, p = 0.007), and pain (MD + 19.7, p = 0.017) had significant worsening from baseline. At 12 weeks postoperatively, role functioning (MD - 19.7, p = 0.011) and fatigue (MD + 14.3, p = 0.03) were the only domains that remained significantly worse. By 12 weeks, pain and physical functioning had returned to baseline. There were no major demographic differences among those with and without an MICD at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous resection of colorectal liver metastases led to clinically significant worsening fatigue and role functioning that persisted at 12 weeks post-surgery.

Simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastasis: Feasibility and development of a prediction model

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

Timing of resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has been debated for decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of simultaneous resection of CRLM in terms of major complications and develop a prediction model for safe resections.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center study of synchronous, resectable CRLM, operated between 2013 and 2021 was conducted. Upper limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) of major complications (≥ grade IIIA) was set at 40% as the safety threshold. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of morbidity. Prediction model was internally validated by bootstrap estimates, Harrell's C-index, and correlation of predicted and observed estimates.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients were operated. Of them, 41.3% had rectal cancers. Major hepatectomy (≥ 4 segments) was performed for 25 patients (27.2%). Major complications occurred in 20 patients (21.7%, 95% CI: 13.8%-31.5%). Predictors of complications were the presence of comorbidities and major hepatectomy (area under the ROC curve: 0.692). Unacceptable level of morbidity (≥ 40%) was encountered in patients with comorbidities who underwent major hepatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous bowel and CRLM resection appear to be safe. However, caution should be exercised when combining major liver resections with bowel resection in patients with comorbid conditions.

Use of population-based electronic databases for the identification of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases potentially eligible for a surgical trial

BACKGROUND

Some population-based recruitment methods, such as registries and databases, have been used to increase enrolment in clinical trials by identifying eligible participants based on baseline characteristics; however; these methods have not been tested in surgical trials, in which accrual occurs before surgery. We evaluated the use of population-based electronic databases to identify patients who potentially could be accrued to the Simultaneous Resection of Colorectal Cancer with Synchronous Liver Metastases (RESECT) trial and compared it to the traditional methods used to accrue patients (e.g., multidisciplinary rounds, letters to community surgeons) for that same trial during the same period.

METHODS

An electronic database (ePath) was interrogated every 2 weeks for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer from Feb. 1, 2017, to Mar. 30, 2019. A radiologic image database (OneView) was reviewed to identify those with liver metastases (level 1 screening). Reports were interrogated to identify potentially eligible patients for the RESECT trial (level 2 screening). A hepatobiliary surgeon reviewed radiology images to identify eligible patients for the trial (level 3 screening). The primary outcome was patient eligibility for the ongoing RESECT trial.

RESULTS

The population-based method identified 90 (11.2%) of 803 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer over the study period. Among the 90 patients, level 2 screening identified 60 (67%) potentially eligible patients for the RESECT trial. Of the 90 patients, 18 (20%) were eligible after radiographic image review (level 3 screening). Traditional accrual methods identified 38 patients with liver metastases, 27 (71%) of whom were identified as potentially eligible on level 2 screening, and 14 (37%) of whom were deemed to be eligible on level 3 screening. Twenty-six patients were identified by both methods. Twelve patients were identified by population-based methods alone, and 8 patients by traditional methods alone. Six eligible patients were identified by both methods. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

A population-based electronic database method of patient accrual was able to identify eligible participants for the RESECT trial. However, optimal accrual likely requires the use of traditional methods as well.

The Impact of Postoperative Complications on Survival after Simultaneous Resection of Colorectal Cancer and Liver Metastases

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of postoperative complications on the long-term outcomes of patients who had undergone simultaneous resection (SR) of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (SCLMs). Methods: We conducted a single-institution survival cohort study in patients with SR, collecting clinical, pathological, and postoperative complication data. The impact of these variables on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was compared by log rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified independent prognostic factors. Results: Out of 243 patients, 122 (50.2%) developed postoperative complications: 54 (22.2%) major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade III–V), 86 (35.3%) septic complications, 59 (24.2%) hepatic complications. Median comprehensive complication index (CCI) was 8.70. Twelve (4.9%) patients died postoperatively. The 3- and 5-year OS and DFS rates were 60.7%, 39.5% and 28%, 21.5%, respectively. Neither overall postoperative complications nor major and septic complications or CCI had a significant impact on OS or DFS. Multivariate analysis identified the N2 stage as an independent prognostic of poor OS, while N2 stage and four or more SCLMs were independent predictors for poor DFS. Conclusion: N2 stage and four or more SCLMs impacted OS and/or DFS, while CCI, presence, type, or grade of postoperative complications had no significant impact on long-term outcomes.