Identification Of Inequalities In The Selection Of Liver Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases In Sweden

Background:Liver resection for colorectal liver metastases offers a 5-year survival rate of 25%–58%. This study aimed to analyze whether patients with colorectal liver metastases undergo resection to an equal extent and whether selection factors play a role in the selection process.Material and Methods:Data were retrieved from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (2007–2011) for colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastases. The patients identified were linked to the Swedish Registry of Liver and Bile surgery and the National Patient Registry to identify whether liver surgery or ablative treatment was performed. Analyses for age, sex, type of primary tumor and treating hospital (university, county, or district), American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and radiology for detection of metastatic disease were performed.Results:Of 28,355 patients with colorectal cancer, 21.6% (6127/28,355) presented with liver metastases. Of the patients with liver metastases, 18.5% (1134/6127) underwent liver resec...