A long-term recurrence-free case of colorectal cancer with 13 simultaneous liver metastases: A case report

Introduction

Metastatic liver tumors result from distant metastasis of a primary tumor. While chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, liver resection is aggressively performed for metastatic liver cancer derived from colorectal cancer. However, during chemotherapy, some disappearing liver metastases (DLMs) can be undetectable on computed tomography (CT), and surgical treatment remains challenging.

Presentation of case

A 48-year-old woman with abdominal pain and constipation was diagnosed with multiple liver metastases of colorectal cancer (CRLM) origin after a thorough examination involving CT and ethoxybenzyl-magnetic resonance imaging. Thirteen simultaneous CRLM were observed (largest metastasis diameter, 37 mm). Resection of the primary tumor (laparoscopy-assisted left colon resection + D3 dissection) was performed. Following eight courses of chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 + panitumumab, only two CRLM and 11 DLMs were detectable on CT. With no new lesions identified, the patient underwent anterior segment resection and segment 3 and segment 7 partial hepatectomies. Contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography was performed, and all detectable lesions were resected. However, pathology results showed three CRLM in the anterior segment and no tumor cells in the segment 3 and segment 7 specimens. Postoperatively, the patient received eight courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (with capecitabine as a single agent beginning mid-course). The patient is currently alive and recurrence-free 3.5 years post-hepatic resection.

Discussion

The utility of EOB-MRI in the detection of DLMs has been demonstrated. The incidence of residual disease and subsequent early recurrence at sites diagnosed as DLMs on CT is reported to be approximately 80 %. Although aggressive resection of resectable DLMs is desirable to the extent that residual liver function can be preserved, recurrence is frequent and long-term careful follow-up is considered important.

Conclusion

Our patient, with multiple CRLM, responded to chemotherapy and underwent conversion surgery following resection of the primary tumor. Surgeons should consider possible surgical resection and DLM management when selecting the primary treatment.