Colorectal liver metastasis resection results in excellent long-term quality of life and low symptom burden

Prognostic factors in patients who undergo liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) have been investigated, but limited research exists on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional status, and ongoing symptoms. This study aimed to assess the long-term HRQoL of life and examine the factors associated with HRQoL, functional status, and ongoing symptoms.

This was a cross-sectional study of patients who had curative resection between 2010 and June 2021. Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 (a generic questionnaire) and QLQ-LMC21 (CRLM-specific) questionnaires.

In total, 121 patients underwent liver resection, of which 85 were alive. There was a 61 % response rate (n = 52). The median postoperative time when the survey was completed was 4.0 years (1-13.1). Overall, most patients were doing well, with a median global HRQoL score of 83 and scores >80 in all domains. Most symptoms were assigned a median score of "0". There were no clinical factors that significantly impacted HRQoL and only trivial differences in relation to physical symptoms.

This study demonstrates excellent long-term HRQoL and functional status in patients who undergo liver resection for CRLM and have long-term survival.