Debulking hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis: Analysis of risk factors for progression free survival

Surg Oncol. 2024 Aug:55:102056. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2024.102056. Epub 2024 Mar 12.

Abstract

Background: The study explores the role of liver debulking surgery in cases of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), challenging the traditional notion that surgery is not a valid option in such scenarios.

Materials and methods: Patients with advanced but resectable disease who underwent surgery with a curative intent (Group I) and those with advanced incompletely resectable disease who underwent a "debulking" hepatectomy (Group II) were compared.

Results: There was no difference in the intra-operative and post-operative results between the two groups. The 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 69% and 47% for group 1 vs 64% and 35% for group 2 respectively (p = 0.14). The 3-year and 5-year PFS rates were 32% and 21% for group 1 vs 12% and 8% for group 2 respectively (p = 0.009). Independent predictors of PFS in the debulking group were bilobar metastases (HR = 2.70; p = 0.02); the presence of extrahepatic metastasis (HR = 2.65, p = 0.03) and the presence of more than 9 metastases (HR = 2.37; p = 0.04). Iterative liver surgery for CRLM was a significant protective factor (HR = 0.34, p = 0.04).

Conclusion: An aggressive palliative surgical approach may offer a survival benefit for selected patients with unresectable CRLM, without increasing the morbidity. The decision for surgery should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Colorectal liver metastasis; Hepatectomy; Liver resection; Progression; Surgical oncology; Survival.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures* / methods
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures* / mortality
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatectomy* / methods
  • Hepatectomy* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate