Treatment strategies for rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases: surgical and oncological outcomes with propensity-score analysis

Background The optimal sequence of surgery for rectal cancer (RC) with synchronous liver metastases (SLM) is controversial. Objectives The primary objective was to explore differences between the rectum first (RF) and the liver first strategy (LF) to achieve the complete resection (CR) of both tumors. Methods Patients diagnosed of RC with resectable or potentially resectable SLM were included. Data collected prospectively were analyzed with an intention-to-treat perspective, adjusting for between-sample differences (propensity score). The complete resection rate (CRR) was the main outcome variable. Results During a 5-year period, 23 patients underwent the LF strategy and 24 patients the RF strategy. Median overall survival (OS) was 32 months in the LF group and 41 months in the RF group ( p = 0.499), and was 51 and 17 months, respectively, for patients achieving or not achieving CR of both tumors ( p