Potential of surgery and chemotherapy in patients with second metastatic recurrence after R0-resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Abstract

644 Background: Surgical resection is the standard of care for resectable colorectal metastases (CRM). Preoperative chemotherapy allows assessment of tumorbiology and has been shown to convert approximately 30% of unresectable patients into secondary resectability. In patients with second metastatic recurrence (SMR), complete (R0) resection of all metastases seems to be accompanied with a survival benefit. The role of chemotherapy is unclear. Methods: Between 01/2001 and 31/08/2011 R0-resection could be achieved in 178 patients with liver only CRM at our institution. 103 patients developed SMR 10.4 ± 8.9 months after R0-resection of hepatic CRM. Of these, 79 patients had perioperative 5FU-based chemotherapy for treatment of the primary tumor and/or first liver metastases. Median follow-up from diagnosis of SMR was 21 (range 1-80) months. Results: SMR occurred in 80 patients at a single site (48x liver, 18x lung, 14x other) and in 23 patients at multiple sites (11x liver and lung, 7x including lung, 4x including liver, 1x other). 9 patients refused therapy and received best supportive care. 42 patients with single site recurrence were scheduled for primary surgery. R0-resection could be achieved in 26 patients (62%). 52 patients were treated with 8.1 ± 8 cycles of 5FU-based chemotherapy (5x 5FU/FS, 21x FOLFOX, 26x FOLFIRI) extended by the EGFR-antibody cetuximab (n=9) or the VEGF-antibody bevacizumab (n=18). 9 of these patients were scheduled for surgical exploration. R0-resection could be achieved in 5 patients with single site and 2 patients with multiple site recurrence. Morbidity and mortality rates for all operated patients were 16% and 0%, respectively. 5-years DFS rate for R0-resected patients was 20%. 5-years OS rate were 43% for R0-resected patients versus 11% for patients with R1/2 resection and palliative therapy (p<0.001). Conclusions: Surgical resection of SMR offers a survival benefit and became possible even in 7 of 52 patients (13%) initially treated by chemotherapy. Therefore, all therapeutic options should be used in patients with SMR to achieve R0-resection of CRM.