Recurrence patterns after resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Recurrence of metastatic disease after resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer remains a major problem as 70-80 % of patients will have a recurrence, most commonly in the liver or lung. To predict patterns of recurrence and outcome may guide follow-up and further treatment, as patients with recurrence might be candidates for repeated surgery or ablation therapy. A summary of studies shows that after hepatectomy 20-43 % will have a recurrence only in the remaining liver without extrahepatic disease, whereas 15-37 % will have a recurrence only to the lung. Early recurrence is associated with poorer outcome compared to late recurrence. Site of first recurrence after resection of liver metastases is predicted by several baseline variables; synchronous disease, primary tumor site, hepatic tumor size, CEA level, number of hepatic lesions, and RAS mutation status. Pattern of recurrence is a predictor for survival after hepatectomy, with liver-only and lung-only recurrences having the best survival. In the majority of patients with isolated hepatic or lung recurrence, repeated metastasectomy is possible resulting in a 40 % 5-year survival rate. Perioperative chemotherapy reduces the risk of liver recurrence after hepatectomy of colorectal cancer liver metastases.