Prognostic factors in hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma - Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor biological factors

The present study was designed to provide a systemic analysis of prognosis in 62 patients who underwent hepatic resection for colorectal liver metasta sis. The analyzed factors included microvessel counts stained by CD34 and e xpression of two adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and CD44 variant exon 6-(v6 ) in these tumors. No significant factors related to recurrence were identi fied and only negative expression of CD44v6 tended to correlate with recurr ence (P = 0.075). A short disease-free period to recurrence was noted in pa tients with high CEA levels (>10 ng/ml) and H2/3 classification. A short su rgical margin, H2/3 classification, high microvessel counts (>60/field, X20 0), and negative expression of CD44v6 and E-cadherin tended to be associate d with poor prognosis. A high microvessel count was the most significant pr ognostic factor by multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. Hepatic resection without tumor exposure and a careful follow-up in cases i dentified with poor prognostic factors are necessary.