Long-term survival of patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases following infusional chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and surgery

Ann Oncol. 1999 Jun;10(6):663-9. doi: 10.1023/a:1008347829017.

Abstract

Context: Long-term survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer has been achieved only in patients who underwent complete resection of metastases. Such surgery could be performed in a greater proportion of patients if effective chemotherapy could downstage previously unresectable metastases. This approach has been limited by the low tumor response rate achieved with conventional chemotherapy.

Objective: We studied the outcome of patients with initially unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer treated with a three-drug chemotherapy regimen followed by liver metastases surgery whenever possible.

Patients and methods: From March 1988 to June 1994, 151 patients with colorectal liver metastases were considered initially unresectable because of large tumor size (> 5 cm), multinodular (> 4) or ill-located metastases. All patients received fully ambulatory chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (chronotherapy in 83% of them). They were periodically reassessed for surgery by a joint medico-surgical team.

Results: In 151 patients, the size of liver metastases decreased by > 50% in 89 patients (59%) and median overall survival was 24 months (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 19-28 months), with 28% surviving at five years (20%-35%). Surgery with curative intent was attempted in 77 patients (51%), complete resection of liver metastases was achieved in 58 patients (38%). The median survival of the 77 operated patients was 48 months (25-71), with a five-year survival rate of 50% (38-61).

Conclusion: This new strategy of combining effective chemotherapy with surgery apparently altered the natural history of unresectable colorectal cancer metastases.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Chronotherapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survivors

Substances

  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil