Time of Detection of Liver Metastases and Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Is the timing of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) detection, defined as synchronous, early metachronous, or late metachronous, associated with overall survival?In this cohort study of 1250 patients, synchronous CRLM initially appeared to be associated with worse survival; however, timing of detection was not an independent factor after adjusting for tumor number, size, variant status, carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and treatment strategy. The ability to undergo local treatment had the greatest association with improved survival.These findings suggest synchronicity is not independently associated with a survival benefit and may instead be indicative of underlying tumor biology, with synchronous metastases occurring earlier in the disease course.

Corresponding Author: Ruby Kemna, MD MSc, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam. De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands (r.kemna@amsterdamumc.nl).

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