Liver metastases in patients with curatively treated colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background. The problem of the development of liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients previously treated with curative intent surgery remains little studied. Identification of significant factors affecting the occurrence of metachronous metastasis contributes to a more accurate prediction of recurrence in this group of patients. material and methods. In our study we analyzed the incidence of liver metastases and prognostic factors in 116 colorectal cancer patients previously treated with curative intent at Irkutsk Regional Cancer Center between 2006 and 2017. The patients received combined modality treatment including neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for localized and locally advanced rectal cancer, radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. After curative treatment, 96 patients had no evidence of distant liver metastases, and 20 patients developed distant metastases. results. The incidence of liver metastases was 17 %. In most patients, metastases occurred 16.5 months after completion of curative treatment, reaching peak incidence at 12–18 months. Prognostic factors of colorectal liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients previously treated with curative intent surgery were: the stage of the tumor, tumor growth in the parirectal/mesocolic fatty tissue, and no previous preoperative chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. conclusion. For early detection of liver metastases, the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements, contrast-enhanced abdominal multislice CT, and ultrasound-guided liver biopsy were recommended to perform every 3 months in the postoperative period.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• metastasis
• recurrence
• carcinoembryonic antigen
• prognostic factors