Open AccessThe Impact of a Hepatobiliary Multidisciplinary Team Assessment in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: A Population‐Based Study
Author(s) -
Engstrand Jennie,
Kartalis Nikolaos,
Strömberg Cecilia,
Broberg Mats,
Stillström Anna,
Lekberg Tobias,
Jonas Eduard,
Freedman Jacob,
Nilsson Henrik
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0028
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , referral , odds ratio , cohort , multidisciplinary team , retrospective cohort study , hepatectomy , confidence interval , population , cancer , resection , gastroenterology , general surgery , surgery , nursing , environmental health , family medicine
Background Assessing patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) by a liver multidisciplinary team (MDT) results in higher resection rates and improved survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentially improved resection rate in a defined cohort if all patients with CRCLM were evaluated by a liver MDT. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer during 2008 in the greater Stockholm region was conducted. All patients with liver metastases (LM), detected during 5‐year follow‐up, were re‐evaluated at a fictive liver MDT in which previous imaging studies, tumor characteristics, medical history, and patients’ own treatment preferences were presented. Treatment decisions for each patient were compared to the original management. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for factors associated with referral to the liver MDT. Results Of 272 patients diagnosed with LM, 102 patients were discussed at an original liver MDT and 69 patients were eventually resected. At the fictive liver MDT, a further 22 patients were considered as resectable/potentially resectable, none previously assessed by a hepatobiliary surgeon. Factors influencing referral to liver MDT were age (OR 3.12, 1.72–5.65), American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR 0.34, 0.18–0.63; ASA 2 vs. ASA 3), and number of LM (OR 0.10, 0.04–0.22; 1–5 LM vs. >10 LM), while gender ( p = .194) and treatment at a teaching hospital ( p = .838) were not. Conclusion A meaningful number of patients with liver metastases are not managed according to best available evidence and the potential for higher resection rates is substantial. Implications for Practice Patients with liver metastatic colorectal cancer who are assessed at a hepatobiliary multidisciplinary meeting achieve higher resection rates and improved survival. Unfortunately, patients who may benefit from resection are not always properly referred. In this study, the potential improved resection rate was assessed by re‐evaluating all patients with liver metastases from a population‐based cohort, including patients with extrahepatic metastases and accounting for comorbidity and patients’ own preferences towards treatment. An additional 12.9% of the patients were found to be potentially resectable. The results highlight the importance of all patients being evaluated in the setting of a hepatobiliary multidisciplinary meeting.