Extrahepatic recurrence rates in patients receiving adjuvant hepatic artery infusion and systemic chemotherapy after complete resection of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of the reduced dose of systemic chemotherapy (SYS) on recurrence patterns in patients receiving adjuvant hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy after complete colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) resection. METHODS: Patients undergoing complete CRLM resection between 2000 and 2007 were selected from a prospectively maintained database and categorized as receiving SYS or HAI + SYS. Those with pre and/or intraoperative extrahepatic disease, documented death, or recurrence within 30 days of CRLM resection were excluded. Competing risk, Fine and Gray's tests were used to compare SYS versus HAI + SYS for time-to-organ recurrence. RESULTS: Of 361 study patients, 153 (42.4%) received SYS and 208 (57.6%) received HAI + SYS. The median follow-up for survivors was 100 (range = 12-185) and 156 months (range = 18-217) for SYS and HAI + SYS, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence (CI) of any liver recurrence was greater for those receiving SYS (SYS = 41.9% vs. HAI + SYS = 28.6%, p = .005). The 5-year CI of developing any lung or extrahepatic recurrence for SYS patients was 36.2% and 47.9% compared with 44.5% (p = .242) and 51.7% (p = .551), respectively, in patients receiving HAI + SYS. CONCLUSION: Despite the reduced dose of SYS, adjuvant HAI + SYS after CRLM resection is not associated with a significantly increased risk of extrahepatic recurrence.

Laparoscopy as a useful selection tool for patients with prior surgery and peritoneal metastases suitable for multimodality treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Complete macroscopic cytoreduction in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is the basic requirement for long-term survival. Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) can be difficult and of limited clinical value secondary to postoperative or tumor-induced adhesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of DL in patients with prior surgery and PC. METHODS: The database of the surgical department of the University Medical Center of Regensburg was reviewed (9/2010-10/2014) selecting for DL in patients with PC. The operative report had a standardized format allowing for the determination of the extent of the intra-abdominal visible area and the extent of tumor on the surface of the small intestine. For the classification we used our own developed score. RESULTS: DL was performed in 102 patients. The complete abdominal cavity was evaluable in 48%. At least two quadrants and the largest part of the small intestine could be assessed in 70%. 37% of the patients had massive tumor manifestation on the small intestine or its mesentery. PCI (Peritoneal Cancer Index) could not be calculated in 71% of the patients due to incomplete visualization of the abdominal cavity and/or multiple tumor manifestations on the small intestine. 54% of patients were classified as non-resectable and 85% who seemed suitable for cytoreductive surgery underwent a CCR-0 resection and HIPEC. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of prior surgery and PC, DL is frequently possible and a useful tool to define the extent of tumor spread. Lots of patients can be prevented from needless open laparotomy. The extent of tumor involvement of the small intestine seems to be more relevant than calculation of the PCI to determine the potential for complete resection. Therefore, in the presence of adhesions, inspection of the complete abdominal cavity does not offer added clinical benefit and further adhesiolysis can be avoided.