Population-based cohort study of liver metastases and survival among patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are a major cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). A population-based cohort study in Denmark examined temporal patterns of incidence, characteristics, and survival among patients with synchronous and metachronous CRLM. All patients with CRLM in Denmark between 2007 and 2024 (n=14,685; 58.3% males; median age 68.9 years; IQR 62.2-77.0) were included. The 5-year cumulative incidence of CRLM in patients with CRC was 19.8% (95% CI 19.5-20.1). The cumulative incidence of CRLM decreased with age but was highest in patients younger than 50 years and highest in male patients. One-year survival increased for patients with synchronous CRLM from 47.2% in the 2007-to 2010 diagnosis period to 58.3% in the 2020-2024 diagnosis period. Five-year survival also improved for patients with synchronous CRLM from 13.0% in the 2007-2010 period to 20.7% in the 2020-2024 period. No improvement was observed for metachronous CRLM. The authors conclude that these results highlight the need for targeted follow-up and treatment strategies based on the timing of metastasis.