Use of intraoperative ablation as an adjunct to surgical resection in the treatment of recurrent colorectal liver metastases

Repeat hepatectomy justified in patients with early recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The benefit of repeat hepatectomy in patients with early recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) is questioned, in particular in those suffering from recurrence within three to six months following initial hepatectomy. The aim of this review was therefore to assess whether disease-free interval was associated with overall survival in patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy for recurrent CRLM.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from database inception to 6th June 2020. Observational studies describing results of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent CRLM, including (disease-free) interval between hepatic resections and overall survival were included. Patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy within three months or additional resection of extrahepatic disease were excluded from meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 2159 records, of which 28 were included for qualitative synthesis. A meta-analysis of 15 cohort studies was performed, comprising 1039 eligible patients. Median overall survival of 54.0 months [95 %-CI: 38.6-69.4] was observed after repeat hepatectomy in patients suffering from recurrent CRLM between three to six months compared to 53.0 months [95 %-CI: 44.3-61.6] for patients with recurrent CRLM between seven to twelve months (adjusted HR = 0.89, 95 %-CI: 0.66-1.18; p = 0.410), and 60.0 months [95 %-CI: 52.7-67.3] for patients with recurrent CRLM after twelve months (adjusted HR = 0.70, 95 %-CI: 0.53-0.92; p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Disease-free interval is considered a prognostic factor for overall survival, but should not be used as selection criterion per se for repeat hepatectomy in patients suffering from recurrent CRLM.

Thermal Ablation of Metastatic Colon Cancer to the Liver

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for approximately 10% of cancer-related deaths in the Western world. Liver metastases are frequently seen at the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease. Surgical resection is often considered as it provides long-term survival; however, few patients are candidates for resection. Percutaneous ablative therapies are also used in the management of this patient population. Different thermal ablation (TA) technologies are available including radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation (MWA), laser, and cryoablation. There is growing evidence about the role of interventional oncology and image-guided percutaneous ablation in the management of metastatic colorectal liver disease. This article aims to outline the technical considerations, outcomes, and rational of TA in the management of patients with CRC liver metastases, focusing on the emerging role of MWA.

Radiofrequency and Microwave Ablation Compared to Systemic Chemotherapy and to Partial Hepatectomy in the Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose

To assess safety and outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) as compared to systemic chemotherapy and partial hepatectomy (PH) in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched. Randomized trials and comparative observational studies with multivariate analysis and/or matching were included. Guidelines from National Guideline Clearinghouse and Guidelines International Network were assessed using the AGREE II instrument.

Results

The search revealed 3530 records; 328 were selected for full-text review; 48 were included: 8 systematic reviews, 2 randomized studies, 26 comparative observational studies, 2 guideline-articles and 10 case series; in addition 13 guidelines were evaluated. Literature to assess the effectiveness of ablation was limited. RFA + systemic chemotherapy was superior to chemotherapy alone. PH was superior to RFA alone but not to RFA + PH or to MWA. Compared to PH, RFA showed fewer complications, MWA did not. Outcomes were subject to residual confounding since ablation was only employed for unresectable disease.

Conclusion

The results from the EORTC-CLOCC trial, the comparable survival for ablation + PH versus PH alone, the potential to induce long-term disease control and the low complication rate argue in favour of ablation over chemotherapy alone. Further randomized comparisons of ablation to current-day chemotherapy alone should therefore be considered unethical. Hence, the highest achievable level of evidence for unresectable CRLM seems reached. The apparent selection bias from previous studies and the superior safety profile mandate the setup of randomized controlled trials comparing ablation to surgery.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00270-018-1959-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Selecting incision-dominant cases for robotic liver resection: towards outpatient hepatectomy with rapid recovery

Background

The premise of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is to minimize facial and muscle injury in order to enhance recovery from surgery. Robotic MIS surgery for resection of tumors in solid organs is gaining traction, though clear superiority of this approach is lacking and robotic surgery is more expensive. Our philosophy in robotically-assisted hepatectomy has been to employ this approach for cases where location of tumors make difficult a classical laparoscopic approach (superior/posterior tumors), and cases where the incision for an open operation dominates the course of recovery.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

Results

In this study we report 97 cases of liver resection subjected to the robotic approach, of which 90% were resected robotically. The mean operative time was 186±9 min; mean blood loss was 111±15 mL, and complications occurred in 9%. Two thirds of the patients remained in hospital 3 days or less, including three patients subjected to hemihepatectomy (2 left and 1 right). Fourteen individuals were discharged on the same day. The strongest predictors of long hospital stay (>3 days) were major hepatectomy (P=0.007), complications (P=0.008), and operative time >210 min (P=0.001).

Conclusions

With thoughtful case selection, this is a first demonstration that hepatectomy can be conducted as an out-patient or short-stay procedure.

Surgical salvage of recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases: incidence and outcomes

Surgical resection remains the primary curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases. While the majority of patients will develop tumor relapse within or outside of the liver after hepatic metastasectomy, a subset of these patients may be amenable to salvage surgical resection. However, outcomes for this approach are not well defined. In this article, we summarize the current evidence for the incidence, feasibility and outcomes of salvage resection for recurrence after initial resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Recurrence After Partial Hepatectomy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Potentially Curative Role of Salvage Repeat Resection

PURPOSE

Patients with recurrence after complete resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are considered for repeat resection as a potential salvage therapy (PST). However, outcomes for this approach are not well defined. We sought to analyze the natural history of recurrence and PST in a large cohort of patients with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Recurrence patterns, treatments, and outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing resection for colorectal liver metastases were analyzed retrospectively. PST was defined as repeat resection of all recurrent disease and effective salvage therapy (EST) as free of disease for 36 months after last PST. Factors associated with PST, EST, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 952 patients who underwent resection, 594 (62 %) experienced recurrence (median interval = 13 months). Initial recurrences involved liver (n = 157,26 %), lung (n = 167,28 %), multiple sites (n = 171,29 %), and other single sites (n = 99,17 %). PST was performed in 160 (27 %) of 594, most commonly with a single site of recurrence (n = 149). Young age (p = 0.01), negative initial resection margin (p = 0.003), initial tumor size <5 cm (p = 0.006), and recurrence pattern (p < 0.001) were independently associated with PST. Thirty-six patients experienced EST (25 % of PSTs). Overall median survival was 61 and 43 months in those with recurrence. Median survival of patients undergoing PST was 87 months compared to 34 months for those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence is common after CLM resection, but 27 % of patients were able to undergo PST. Approximately one-quarter of these experienced EST and may be cured. PST is associated with long-term survival and possible cure, and therefore active surveillance after CLM resection is justified.

Post-treatment surveillance of patients with colorectal cancer with surgically treated liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Little is known about current surveillance patterns after treatment of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) or whether the intensity of surveillance correlates with outcome. We sought to define current population-based patterns of surveillance and investigate whether intensity of surveillance impacted outcome.

METHODS

We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-linked Medicare database for patients with CRLM diagnosed between 1991 and 2005 who underwent liver resection and/or tumor ablation. Frequency of post-treatment abdominal computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) was recorded for ≤ 5 years after treatment. The association between frequency of imaging with secondary interventions and long-term survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 1,739 patients with CRLM treated with surgery; median age was 73 years, and the majority were male (52.6%). CRLM treatment consisted of liver resection (61%), ablation (32%), or both simultaneously (6%). CT (97%) was utilized more often for post-treatment surveillance compared with MRI (7%) and PET (18%). A temporal trend was noted with more frequent surveillance imaging obtained in post-treatment year 1 (2.4 scans/year) versus year 5 (0.6 scans/year; P = .01); 66% of living patients had no imaging after 2 years. Frequency of surveillance imaging correlated with procedure type (total number of scans/5 years: resection, 5.0; ablation, 4.6; resection and ablation, 6.2; P = .01). Other factors associated with a greater frequency of surveillance included younger age at diagnosis, geographic location in the South, and CRLM directed surgery in 2000 through 2005 (all P < .05). Overall survival did not differ by intensity of surveillance imaging (3-4 scans/yr, 43 months vs 2 scans/yr, 57 months vs 1 scan/yr, 54 months; P = .08).

CONCLUSION

Marked heterogeneity exists in how often surveillance imaging is obtained after treatment of CRLM. Intensity of imaging does not affect time to second procedure or median survival duration. Surveillance guidelines for CRLM need to be refocused to provide the best value for healthcare resources.