[Liver resection in patients with metastases of colorectal cancers. Results and prognostic factors].

From October 1981 until July 1987 82 patients underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases of colorectal primary tumors. Operative mortality was 4.8%. This included, the median survival time was 25 months in a group of patients followed-up for at least one year postoperatively. Factors showing statistically significant influence on survival are: node-negative primary tumor, less than four metastases resected, only one liver lobe involved and decrease of CEA below 5 micrograms/ml if preoperatively elevated. Factors showing only a tendency to result in improved survival rates are the grading of the primary tumor and the percentage of liver involvement by tumor. The survival time after liver resection is similar in patients with synchronous and metachronous metastases. Thus, the time interval between the removal of the primary tumor and the detection of liver metastases seems to be gained lifetime.