Challenges in everyday surgical practice: synchronous bilobar hepatic colorectal metastases--newer multimodality
N J Lygidakis1, Anand D Bhagat, P Vrachnos
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical Centre Psychiko, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece. iasg@iasg.org
Background/Aims:
This study was designed to assess the efficacy of two-stage liver surgery and hepatic directed chemo-biological therapy in treatment of synchronous bilobar hepatic metastases of colorectal origin.
Methodology:
A total of thirty-two patients were included in this study that were diagnosed to have colorectal carcinoma with synchronous bilobar hepatic metastases. During stage one surgery along with excision of primary colorectal carcinoma; ligation and transection of main portal branch on side of bulky metastases disease (right branch in 28 and left in 4 patients) was performed. The metastatic nodules in the opposite lobe were ablated by microwave therapy and a hepatic arterial jet port catheter was introduced via the gastroduodenal artery for liver directed chemo-biological therapy. The catheter was connected to a subcutaneously placed port. Three cycles of chemotherapeutic drugs and Avastin (Bevacizumab) were given via hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) at intervals of twenty-five days. During the second stage surgery hepatic resection was carried out followed by continuation of hepatic arterial infusion of chemobiological drugs as adjuvant therapy.
Results:
In the follow-up period of 31 months, 1-year survival of 100% and 2-year survival of 80% with a mean 28 months survival was noted.
Conclusions:
Combined approach of ligating the portal branch, microwave ablation, hepatic regional chemo-biological therapy and staged liver surgery (a multimodality approach) in the treatment of advanced liver metastatic disease synchronous with colorectal cancer is an effective method of treatment which improves the overall survival and quality of life of the patient with hepatic bilobar metastases synchronous with colorectal carcinoma. Avastin, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor; used for inhibition of tumor growth has shown its efficacy in early results and holds good promise for the future.
