Multiple resections for hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Resections are effective for some patients with both hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer, but the best selection criteria for the resections and effective treatment for recurrence after the resections have not been determined.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 30 consecutive patients who received aggressive multiple resections for both hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer. Recurrences after resections were surgically treated whenever resectable.

RESULTS: For the 30 patients, 45 hepatectomies and 40 pulmonary resections were performed and 17 patients received three or more resections. No mortality was observed. Overall survival after the first metastasectomy for the second organ (liver or lung) was 58% and nine 5-year survivors were observed. Multivariate analyses revealed that primary colon cancer, stage IV in TNM classification and maximum size of hepatic tumor >3 cm at initial hepatectomy were poor prognostic factors, but several long-term survivors were observed even among patients with those factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Multiple resections for hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer are safe and effective. No single factor is considered to be a contraindication for the resections. For recurrence after the resections, surgical resection is also recommended if resectable.