Clinical outcomes for patients with liver-limited metastatic colorectal cancer: Arguing the case for specialist hepatobiliary multidisciplinary assessment.

Abstract

637 Background: In patients (pts) with liver-limited metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can lead to a significant overall survival benefit. Specialist hepato-biliary (HPB) multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) are currently believed to provide the best forum to discuss this cohort of pts and assess their suitability for surgery or RFA. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of pts diagnosed with liver-limited mCRC over a period of 6 months within a specified cancer network in the United Kingdom. In addition to discussed cases, pts who were diagnosed but not referred to the HPB MDM were also discussed within the MDM setting. For these pts, contributors were blinded and decisions were made regarding resectability and appropriateness for RFA based on patient imaging and clinical history. Results: In a six month period, 159 pts were diagnosed with liver-limited mCRC within our cancer network. Of these, 68 (43%) were referred at the time of initial diagnosis, with a further 38 (24%) referred after commencing systemic treatment. 35 (56%) who were discussed at the time of their original diagnosis went on to have either a hepatectomy or RFA, as did 18 (51%) patients referred after initiating systemic treatment. 81 pts (78%) referred to the HPB MDM had synchronous liver metastases. Of the remaining 53 (33%) patients who were not referred to the HPB MDM, the average age was 70.2 years and 38 (86%) had synchronous liver metastases. Imaging was available for 31 (58%) of these pts. Decisions regarding resectability or RFA were made within the MDM based solely on history and radiology findings. Of these cases, 13 (41.9%) were identified as resectable or potentially resectable and 11 (35.5%) may have been suitable for a clinical trial. None of these 31 pts (100%) had hepatic surgery or RFA. Conclusions: Whilst the majority of pts with liver-limited mCRC were referred appropriately, this study highlights that a number of pts with potentially resectable disease are not being discussed at a specialist HPB MDM. A review of all diagnosed cases would ensure that an increased number of pts are offered hepatic resection or RFA.