Multiple repeat metastasectomies for recurrences of colorectal cancer

The disease-free interval after resection of the primary tumour was found to be an independent significant prognostic factor for single repeat metastasectomy for colorectal cancer. In the present study, the intervals from resection to relapse for multiple repeat metastasectomies were evaluated.

Sixteen patients who underwent multiple repeat metastasectomies after the first curative resection were studied to determine whether their intervals from resection to relapse were associated with the prognosis.

The patients could be classified into three types by the intervals from resection to relapse: (1) the intervals of 4 patients between recurrences were constant and lasted a few years (long-term regular-type group); (2) those of 6 patients were almost constant between recurrences and lasted about 1 year (short-term regular-type group), and (3) the intervals of 6 patients became shorter with each recurrence (shortening-type group). 3 of the 4 patients in the long-term regular-type group, 2 of the 6 patients in the short-term regular-type group, and none of the 6 patients in the shortening-type group are currently alive without recurrence. The survival rate was significantly higher in the long-term regular-type group than in the shortening-type group.

For patients with constant intervals of relapse, achieving curative resection is the most relevant prognostic factor for a favourable prognosis after repeat metastasectomies for recurrence of colorectal cancer.