INTRODUCTION: Liver metastases are the most common complication to colorectal cancer, and the presence of metastatic disease severely impacts the overall prognosis of the disease. Since the diagnostic work-up of metastasised colorectal cancer has undergone tremendous changes in past decades, an impact on the incidence of metastatic disease is anticipated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prognosis of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS: From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011, all patients with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified. Data on metastatic dissemination to the liver were collected from medical charts. Patients were followed until death or the end of the study period (31 December 2016).

RESULTS: Among the total study population of 1,672 patients, 23.6% of patients were diagnosed with liver metastases. The incidence of synchronous and metachronous metastases was 16% and 7.7%, respectively. Patients with synchronous and metachronous metastases had a median survival of ten (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.5-12.5) and 43 (95% CI: 35.8-50.2) months, respectively, compared with a median survival of 86 (95% CI: 73.5-98.5) months for patients without liver metastases.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of synchronous metastases has remained high despite improved diagnostic technology. Patient survival remains significantly lower when metastatic disease is present, even though treatment options for liver metastases have improved.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.