[Resection of liver metastases of colorectal cancers. Results and prognostic factors]

Abstract

Between 1985 and 1991 268 liver resections were performed at the Department of Surgery of the University of Hamburg. 89 patients underwent liver resections because of colo-rectal secondaries. 82 patients could be followed for more than 1 year postoperatively. Their courses were analysed regarding the prognostic factors: age, sex, localisation of the primary tumor, size, number and localisation of metastases and radicality (R0-R1-R2-stage of resection). The results showed, that a significant prognostic influence regarding the long-term-survival rate could only be observed in patients, in which a R0-resection with a tumor-free margin of more than 1 cm was performed. In these patients the cumulative 5-year survival rate was 37% with a median survival time of 39 months. In patients with a tumor-free margin < 1 cm (R0b) the long-term prognosis did not differ significantly from cases with R1 or R2 resections (under 10%).