Population-based study on resection rates and survival in patients with colorectal liver metastasis in Norway

BackgroundDetailed knowledge about the proportion of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) undergoing resection is sparse. The aim of this study was to analyse cumulative resection rates and survival in patients with CLM. MethodsFor this population-based study of patients developing CLM during 2011-2013, data were extracted from the Norwegian Patient Registry and the Cancer Registry of Norway. ResultsA total of 2960 patients had CLM; their median overall survival was 109months. Liver resection was performed in 538 patients. The cumulative resection rate was 200 per cent. The cumulative resection rate was 233 per cent in patients aged less than 40 years, 311 per cent in patients aged 40-59 years, 247 per cent in those aged 60-74 years, 179 per cent in those aged 75-79 years and 47 per cent in patients aged 80 years or more (P < 0001). In multivariable analysis, resection rate was associated with age, extrahepatic metastases, disease-free interval and geographical region. Overall survival after diagnosis of CLM was affected by liver resection (hazard ratio (HR) 054, 95 per cent c.i. 034 to 086), rectal cancer (HR 082, 074 to 090), metachronous disease (HR 066, 060 to 074), increasing age (HR 132, 128 to 137), region, and extrahepatic metastases (HR 190, 174 to 207). Three- and 4-year overall survival rates after hepatectomy were 732 and 548 per cent respectively. ConclusionThe cumulative resection rate in patients with CLM in Norway between 2011 and 2013 was 20 per cent. Resection rates varied across geographical regions, and with patient and disease characteristics. Variation among patients and regions