Natural history of patients with subcentimeter pulmonary nodules undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer Journal Article


Authors: Maithel, S. K.; Ginsberg, M. S.; D'amico, F.; DeMatteo, R. P.; Allen, P. J.; Fong, Y.; Blumgart, L. H.; Jarnagin, W. R.; D'Angelica, M. I.
Article Title: Natural history of patients with subcentimeter pulmonary nodules undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer
Abstract: Background: CT imaging frequently detects subcentimeter pulmonary nodules (SPN) in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases. Their clinical significance is unknown. Study Design: Patients were identified who underwent hepatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases between October 2004 and March 2006. The presence and imaging features of preoperative SPN were analyzed for their association with progression-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and SPN progression. Results: One hundred sixty patients underwent liver resection and 68 (43%) had SPN identified preoperatively. Median number of nodules was 1 (75th percentile: ≤2 nodules) and median size of the largest was 3 mm (25th to 75th percentile: 2 to 5 mm). SPN were unilateral in 77%, calcified in 19%, solid in 92%, and smooth in contour in 95% of patients. At median follow-up of 31 months for survivors, SPN were proven to be metastatic disease in 35% of patients (24 of 68), either by radiographic increase in size or number (n = 12) or histologic confirmation after resection (n = 12). Median PFS for the 160 patients was 16 months and 3-year DSS was 78%. There was a trend toward shorter median PFS in patients with preoperative SPN compared with patients with no SPN (12 versus 20 months; p = 0.242). There was no difference in 3-year DSS (70% versus 83%; p = 0.46). SPN progression after hepatic resection did not substantially affect 3-year DSS. Calcified nodules were less likely to progress compared with noncalcified nodules (8% versus 42%; p = 0.03). Conclusion: SPN are common among patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases and approximately one-third of these will prove to be metastatic disease. Presence of limited preoperative SPN might be associated with shorter PFS after hepatectomy, but does not substantially impact 3-year DSS, and should not necessarily preclude resection of hepatic metastases. © 2010 American College of Surgeons.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; aged; aged, 80 and over; disease-free survival; middle aged; major clinical study; disease course; histopathology; liver neoplasms; cancer patient; disease free survival; follow up; follow-up studies; colorectal cancer; progression free survival; tumor volume; tomography, x-ray computed; colorectal neoplasms; liver metastasis; lung metastasis; disease progression; liver resection; hepatectomy; radiography; lung nodule; calcinosis; subcentimeter pulmonary nodule; tumor calcinosis; multiple pulmonary nodules
Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume: 210
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1072-7515
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2010-01-01
Start Page: 31
End Page: 38
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.09.032
PUBMED: 20123329
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4497784
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "CODEN: JACSE" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Leslie H Blumgart
    352 Blumgart
  2. Ronald P DeMatteo
    637 DeMatteo
  3. Michelle S Ginsberg
    234 Ginsberg
  4. Peter Allen
    501 Allen
  5. William R Jarnagin
    903 Jarnagin
  6. Yuman Fong
    775 Fong