Carcinoembryonic antigen directed multiple surgical procedures for recurrent colon cancer confined to the liver

During the past 14 years, eight patients have undergone two or more major hepatic procedures in an attempt to control metastatic colon cancer confined to the liver. A total of 19 operations was performed. In all cases, a rising level of carcinoembryonic antigen was the main indicator for surgical intervention. There were no operative deaths. Major complications occurred in 15 per cent. Following the first hepatic intervention, two patients remain alive and free of disease at 43 and 47 months (56 and 100 months since diagnosis), respectively. In the six patients who have died, survival from the first hepatic intervention ranged from 17 to 38 months (median 27 months). Age, sex, location of primary, size of primary, interval from primary operation to second operation, and site of hepatic metastasis did not influence survival. In carefully selected patients with metastatic colon carcinoma confined to the liver, encouraging results can be obtained by performing multiple surgical procedures.