Sum of the longest diameters of metastatic liver tumors is a possible new prognostic factor after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Background/aims: Although the size and number of the metastatic liver tumors have been considered to be prognostic factors after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases, the importance of these parameters is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the new factor, namely, the sum of longest diameters of the metastatic liver tumors (SLD).

Methodology: The medical records of 59 patients who had undergone hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases were abstracted and these patients were completely followed-up.

Results: The overall 5-year survival rate after hepatectomy was 38.5%, and median survival time was 25.9 months. The significant prognostic factors by the univariate analysis were the extents of vessel permeation and lymph node metastasis of primary colorectal carcinoma, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, the longest diameter and SLD of the liver tumor, surgical margin of the liver, and the serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen. Multivariate analysis showed that SLD (P=0.026) and extrahepatic distant organ metastasis (P=0.008) were the independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions: SLD is a useful and significant predictor for survival after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases.