Hepatectomy prolongs survival of mice with induced liver metastases

M. H. Castillo, R. J. Doerr, N. Paolini Jr, S. Cohen and M. Goldrosen
Department of Surgery, State University of New York, Buffalo.

Resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer has been shown to prolong survival in some patients. Whether this results from a reduction of tumor burden or is an indirect effect mediated by hepatectomy is questionable. Male C57BL/6Ros 8-week-old mice underwent ileocolic vein injection of a suspension of 0.3 mL of 2 x 10(5) viable liver-derived murine (MCA-38) colonic adenocarcinoma cells. This model produces hepatic metastases in all lobes of the liver. At 7, 14, or 21 days after tumor injection, mice were randomized to receive either 42% resection of the liver or laparotomy alone. Survival in the animals with hepatectomy was significantly prolonged when the hepatectomy was performed 14 or 21 days after tumor injection.