The influence of steatosis on the short- and long-term results of resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

We aimed to establish whether the presence of hepatic steatosis influences outcome after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM).

Patients and methods: Patients operated between 1990 and 2014 were divided into four groups based on the degree of hepatic steatosis. The association between hepatic steatosis and outcome was analyzed, using a multivariate and a propensity score case-match analysis.

Results: No significant differences were observed between patients with and without steatosis in either mortality or morbidity in the complete series or after matching (3.2% vs. 3.5%/p = 0.845) (32.3% vs 31.4%/p = 0.802). Five-year survival in patients with and without steatosis were 56.5% and 46.5% respectively (p = 0.046). The steatosis had a significant protective effect in the univariate analysis (HR (95% CI) = 0.78 (0.62-0.99) p = 0.048), and was close to significance in the multivariate analysis (HR (95%) = 0.81 (0.63-1.03) p = 0.089). No significant differences were seen with regard to liver recurrence.

Conclusions: The presence of steatosis does not predict short-outcome after resection of CLM, but appears to be a favorable prognostic factor for survival. This protective effect does not depend on a decrease in liver recurrence.