Histological hepatic changes in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastasis: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

e15034 Background: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with liver metastases (LM) have a poor prognosis and the only potential cure is surgical resection. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) in this setting can increase the success of resection and can potentially improve survival. However, chemotherapy can be associated with hepatic toxicity which may influence postoperative morbidity. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRC with LM from 1999–2005 at a single institution (OCC) were retrospectively reviewed. Data on baseline characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, operative outcomes and pathology were collected. Results: 107 patients underwent hepatectomy for CRC LM. Median age was 62 years (range 24–84). 53 (53%) patients had positive lymph nodes (primary tumor) and 51 (48%) had with synchronous LM. 46 (43%) patients had a solitary LM and 90 (84%) underwent major resection (>4 segments). 63 (59%) patients received NC. 96% received a 5FU-based regimen. The majority of patients (55%) received 6–12 cycles of NC. The median time between NC and surgery was 6.5 weeks. Patients receiving NC before surgery were younger (mean 59.5 versus 65.5 years, p=0.0056). NC was more often administered in patients with positive primary lymph node status (72%,versus 40%, p=0.0014) and with multiple (versus solitary) LM (75% versus 37%, p=0.0001). Patients more often received NC with synchronous (versus metachronous) LM (90% versus 30%, p<0.0001). Operative and postoperative courses were not significantly different in patients with NC, including hemodynamic instability, postoperative complications, transfusion requirements (red blood cell and platelets) and mortality. Pathological analysis of the resected liver segments reviewed mild (<30%) steatosis in 58% of patients. Most specimens did not reveal lobular inflammation (56%) or ballooning (87%). Sinusoidal injury was most often graded as 1 (33%). There were no significant increased rates of liver toxicity in patients with NC. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, although associated with increased steatosis is not associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality with liver resection. No significant financial relationships to disclose.