The effect of a primary tumour resection on the progression of synchronous colorectal liver metastases: An exploratory study

AimThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of an upfront primary tumour resection on the progression of synchronous colorectal liver metastases.Materials and methodsPatients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases referred between 2005 and 2010 were identified. Patients were analysed according to the following two groups: 1) an upfront primary tumour resection and 2) neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors significantly contributing to progressive disease. Cox regression analysis was undertaken to determine the effect of management on overall survival (OS) and time to tumour progression (TTP).ResultsA total of 116 patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases were identified of which 49 patients received an upfront primary tumour resection and 67 received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Liver resections were performed in 18 (36.7%) and 14 (20.9%) of the patients in the upfront and neo-adjuvant groups respectively (P 0.06). On multivariate analysis, an upfront primary tumour resection significantly affected progressive disease (p < 0.001, OR 5.67; 95% CI 2.71-11.79). An upfront tumour resection was not a significant predictor of overall survival (P = 0.83; HR 1.10; 95% CI 0.48-2.52).ConclusionOur findings suggest that an upfront primary tumour resection in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases results in progressive disease. These preliminary findings need to be validated in a future multi-centre independent study.