Robotic-assisted resection of pelvic mesorectum lipoma during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report.

Mesorectal lipoma is a rare, usually asymptomatic tumor. The best treatment is R0 resection but the previous literature reports different approaches. Robotic surgery allows for an accurate intervention, with a faster postoperative course, less risk of infection and need for transfusions, a faster return to normal daily activities and the best esthetic result. We describe a case of a 43-year-old female with a large lipoma with dislocation of the vagina, rectum and distal sigmoid colon, potentially malignant, successfully treated by robotic excision, which was safe, effective and well tolerated by the patient.

Impact of COVID-19 on the oncological outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in northern Italy in 2019 and 2020: multicentre comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study compared patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery in 20 hospitals of northern Italy in 2019 versus 2020, in order to evaluate whether COVID-19-related delays of colorectal cancer screening resulted in more advanced cancers at diagnosis and worse clinical outcomes. METHOD: This was a retrospective multicentre cohort analysis of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery in March to December 2019 versus March to December 2020. Independent predictors of disease stage (oncological stage, associated symptoms, clinical T4 stage, metastasis) and outcome (surgical complications, palliative surgery, 30-day death) were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1755 patients operated in 2019, and 1481 in 2020 (both mean age 69.6 years). The proportion of cancers with symptoms, clinical T4 stage, liver and lung metastases in 2019 and 2020 were respectively: 80.8 versus 84.5 per cent; 6.2 versus 8.7 per cent; 10.2 versus 10.3 per cent; and 3.0 versus 4.4 per cent. The proportions of surgical complications, palliative surgery and death in 2019 and 2020 were, respectively: 34.4 versus 31.9 per cent; 5.0 versus 7.5 per cent; and 1.7 versus 2.4 per cent. Cancers in 2020 (versus 2019) were more likely to be symptomatic (odds ratio 1.36 (95 per cent c.i. 1.09 to 1.69)), clinical T4 stage (odds ratio 1.38 (95 per cent c.i. 1.03 to 1.85)) and have multiple liver metastases (odds ratio 2.21 (95 per cent c.i. 1.24 to 3.94)), but were not more likely to be associated with surgical complications (odds ratio 0.79 (95 per cent c.i. 0.68 to 0.93)). CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer patients who had surgery between March and December 2020 had an increased risk of advanced disease in terms of associated symptoms, cancer location, clinical T4 stage and number of liver metastases.

Factors Affecting Mortality in 1022 COVID-19 Patients Referred to an Emergency Department in Bergamo during the Peak of the Pandemic.

The unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 in the area of Bergamo and the general crisis of personnel and devices has been managed as well as possible during the maximum peak of epidemic; Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital implemented its facilities and organization in order to optimize the treatment of patients. The number of beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was doubled (from 16 to 33), and more than 220 beds were dedicated to the COVID-19 patients. This paper analyzes the factors affecting mortality in 1022 COVID-19 patients who referred to Humanitas Gavazzeni between February 25 and March 26, 2020. A total of 274 (34.9%) fatal events were registered: 202 among those admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and COVID department and 72 among those treated in Acute Admission Unit Level II (AAUl-2) who died before hospital admission. This paper studies 274 dead cases by analyzing patient's characteristics, physiological and laboratory parameters, symptoms, and the scores of severity of the disease. Patients who had fatal events in the AAUL-2 showed the worst parameters of risk. The most important differences regarded the Apache II score, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), CRP (C-reactive protein), pH, creatinine, RR (respiratory rate), and asthenia.

Cardiac safety of adjuvant non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combined with cyclophosphamide and followed by paclitaxel in older breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cardiac safety of adjuvant Non-Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (NPL-DOX) combined to Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and followed by weekly Paclitaxel, in older patients (≥65 years) with diagnosis of high risk breast cancer. The main end point of this prospective study was the detection of early episodes of symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: The cardiac function was evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements with repeated echocardiograms, performed 2 weeks before the beginning of chemotherapy and every 6 months, until 30 months after the study entry; then yearly for at least 5 years. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled from two Italian Divisions of Medical Oncology. Final results revealed no early episodes of symptomatic CHF within the first 12 months from the enrolment. Only two cardiac events were observed: an episode of atrial flutter after the first cycle of NPL-DOX and CTX, with a quick return to normal rhythm, and a grade 3 (scored to NCI-CTCAE, version 3.0) CHF episode, 18 months later chemotherapy start. No other relevant toxicities were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This adjuvant combination including NPL-DOX in elderly patients, resulted in a low rate of cardiac toxic effects. Comparative trials should be encouraged to confirm these findings.

Pharmacogenetic interaction analysis of VEGFR-2 and IL-8 polymorphisms in advanced breast cancer patients treated with paclitaxel and bevacizumab.

AIM: To investigate pharmacogenetic interactions among VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, IL-8, HIF-1α, EPAS-1 and TSP-1 SNPs and their role on progression-free survival in a population of metastatic breast cancer patients treated with bevacizumab in combination with first-line paclitaxel. PATIENTS & METHODS: Analyses were performed on germline DNA obtained from blood samples and SNPs were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. The multifactor dimensionality reduction methodology was applied to investigate the interaction between SNPs. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled from eight Italian Oncology Units ( clinicaltrial.gov : NCT01935102). The multifactor dimensionality reduction software provided two pharmacogenetic interaction profiles consisting of the combination between specific VEGFR-2 rs11133360 and IL-8 rs4073 genotypes. The median progression-free survival was 14.1 months (95% CI: 11.4-16.8) and 10.2 months (95% CI: 8.8-11.5) for the favorable and the unfavorable genetic profile, respectively (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.66, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The pharmacogenetic statistical interaction between VEGFR-2 rs11133360 and IL-8 rs4073 genotypes may identify a population of patients with a better outcome.

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare but potentially serious postpartum complication, which occurs in 0.05% to 0.18% of pregnancies and is diagnosed on the right side in 80% to 90% of the cases. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old woman presented at 15 days postpartum to our emergency department with severe abdominal pain, fever, and abdominal distension. Abdominal examination revealed right lower quadrant pain with rebound tenderness. The plain abdominal radiography evidenced a diffuse fecal stasis; abdominal ultrasound showed the presence of free fluid in the Douglas' pouch and between small bowel loops. Diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made. The patient immediately underwent explorative laparoscopy; at surgery, a woody tumoration consistent with right ovarian vein thrombosis was found. Laparoscopic ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. Anticoagulation therapy and antibiotics were instituted. CT-scan confirmed the presence of thrombosis up to the vena cava. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4. At 1-month follow-up, she remained stable and symptom free. DISCUSSION: Even though postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis is rare, recognition and treatment is needed to institute adequate therapy and avoid potential serious sequelae. The diagnosis can be established by ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI examinations, although, as in the case described, the limitation of ultrasound includes obscuration of the gonadic vein by overlying bowel gas. CONCLUSION: OVT should be considered in any woman in the postpartum period with lower abdominal pain, fever, and leucocytosis.

Acute thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery in a 39-year-old woman with protein-S deficiency: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Acute thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery is a condition with an unfavorable prognosis. Treatment of this condition is focused on early diagnosis, surgical or intravascular restoration of blood flow to the ischemic intestine, surgical resection of the necrotic bowel and supportive intensive care. In this report, we describe a case of a 39-year-old woman who developed a small bowel infarct because of an acute thrombotic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, also involving the splenic artery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old Caucasian woman presented with acute abdominal pain and signs of intestinal occlusion. The patient was given an abdominal computed tomography scan and ultrasonography in association with Doppler ultrasonography, highlighting a thrombosis of the celiac trunk, of the superior mesenteric artery, and of the splenic artery. She immediately underwent an explorative laparotomy, and revascularization was performed by thromboendarterectomy with a Fogarty catheter. In the following postoperative days, she was given a scheduled second and third look, evidencing necrotic jejunal and ileal handles. During all the surgical procedures, we performed intraoperative Doppler ultrasound of the superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk to control the arterial flow without evidence of a new thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Acute mesenteric ischemia is a rare abdominal emergency that is characterized by a high mortality rate. Generally, acute mesenteric ischemia is due to an impaired blood supply to the intestine caused by thromboembolic phenomena. These phenomena may be associated with a variety of congenital prothrombotic disorders. A prompt diagnosis is a prerequisite for successful treatment. The treatment of choice remains laparotomy and thromboendarterectomy, although some prefer an endovascular approach. A second-look laparotomy could be required to evaluate viable intestinal handles. Some authors support a laparoscopic second-look. The possibility of evaluating the arteriotomy, during a repeated laparotomy with a Doppler ultrasound, is crucial to show a new thrombosis. Although the prognosis of acute mesenteric ischemia due to an acute arterial mesenteric thrombosis remains poor, a prompt diagnosis, aggressive surgical treatment and supportive intensive care unit could improve the outcome for patients with this condition.

Single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer: a single-centre preliminary experience.

The rationale for single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is minimizing morbidity, as well as improving cosmetic results of laparoscopic approach. This technique has been used for a variety of procedures and has recently been proposed for colonic resections as well. We report our preliminary experience of right colectomy, performed through a SILS approach. Five patients (3 males, 2 females, mean age 81.6 years) were selected to undergo SILS right colectomy for cancer. The procedure was carried out through a SILS multi-port device (SILS™ Port, Covidien Ltd, Norwalk, CT, USA), with either conventional or specially designed instruments. A medial-to-lateral approach and an extra-corporeal anastomosis were performed. In three cases, the procedure was completed through the SILS technique; in two of these cases a combined procedure was carried out (right colectomy plus cholecystectomy, right colectomy plus cholecystectomy plus i.o. colonoscopy and polypectomy). In one case, a switch to standard laparoscopy was necessary because of the large dimension of the tumour, while in the other case an intolerance of pneumoperitoneum was registered, thus requiring a conversion to open surgery. SILS procedures proved to be oncologically correct. No major complications occurred. In selected patients, SILS right colectomy for cancer appears to be feasible and oncologically safe. Beyond the cosmetic advantage, the procedure may reduce postoperative morbidity. Further studies are needed, with larger series and a longer follow-up, to determine the incidence of possible long-term complications and to evaluate possible cost-effectiveness of the procedure.

Recurrence of Graves' disease in thyroglossal duct remnants: relapse after total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic thyroid tissue can be found anywhere between the foramen cecum and the normal position of the thyroid gland, most commonly located in the anterior cervical area, the region of the thyroglossal duct. Although thyroid cancer has been described frequently in thyroglossal duct remnants, thyroid dysfunction related to this tissue is rare. We report a patient with recurrent Graves' disease arising in a thyroglossal duct remnant. SUMMARY: A 40-year-old woman with a history of total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, presented with a slowly enlarging midline neck mass in association with clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. Serum-free triiodothyronine (6.6 pg/mL) and serum-free thyroxine (2.2 ng/dL) were elevated (normal range, 2.3-4.2 pg/mL and 0.9-1.8 ng/dL, respectively), and thyroid-stimulating hormone was suppressed (<0.01 mIU/mL; normal range, 0.35-5.50 mIU/mL). Neck ultrasonography showed a solid mass, localized at the infrahyoid area; radionuclide scanning confirmed an increased uptake at the same level. A 4 cm solid mass was removed by the Sistrunk technique. Microscopic examination revealed marked follicular hyperplasia, with tall cells, small follicles, scant, and scalloped colloid, in association with patchy lymphocytic infiltrate consistent with Graves' disease. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be no reason why thyroid cells within thyroglossal duct remnants should not be influenced by the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins of Graves' disease. Thyrotoxicosis resulting from this must be very rare, however, as were unable to find reports of patients with thyrotoxicosis due to Graves' disease in thyroglossal duct remnants. Although some thyroid tissue can be found within the thyroglossal duct in 1.6% to 40% of normal adults, the risk of thyroid dysfunction from this is far too low to justify new therapeutic approaches.

[Laparoscopic approach in acute appendicitis: experience with 501 consecutive cases]. / Approccio laparoscopico nelle appendiciti acute: l'esperienza di 501 casi consecutivi.

Appendicitis is an acute disease requiring urgent surgical treatment. Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children and young adults, with an incidence of about 100-140 cases per 100,000 people. In our study we analyse 501 consecutive appendectomies performed in our department. From June 2003 to December 2008 we performed 501 appendectomies, 287 in male and 214 in female patients. The average age was 27.99 years (range: from 4 to 94 years). We routinely perform a laparoscopic approach with a standard protocol for patient selection. Following a standard protocol, 429 patients were selected for the laparoscopic approach and 72 for an open appendectomy. In 411 patients (95.8%) the surgical procedure was completed in laparoscopy with a conversion rate of about 4.2% (18/429). The conversion rate in the simple appendectomy subgroup was 0.98%, as against about 12.1% in the complex appendectomy subgroup. The open appendectomy group comprised 72 patients, 27 patients treated with an open approach by choice, 26 for necessity and 19 for protocol violation. There were 9 post-appendectomy complications (2.1%) and 3 re-operations (0.5%); the mortality rate was nil. Although 20 years have passed since the first laparoscopic appendectomy, today it is still debated whether or not the laparoscopic approach is the correct surgical procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis. Several studies have shown that laparoscopic appendectomy presents a number of advantages in terms of a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and fewer wound infections. Some authors, however, have demonstrated that the laparoscopic approach for acute appendicitis is associated with increased operative times and risk of intra-abdominal abscesses (above all if the appendix is perforated). Our experience confirms that the routinely performed laparoscopic approach to treat acute appendicitis is associated with a low rate of abscess complications: in our series some of the complications could be attributed to the surgical learning curve.

Long-term outcome of initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) followed by radical surgery of metastases.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The GONO-FOLFOXIRI regimen improved the rate of R0 secondary resection of metastases in initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of resected patients and the impact of FOLFOXIRI on perioperative morbidities, mortality, and chemotherapy induced hepatotoxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 196 patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with FOLFOXIRI in 2 phase II and 1 phase III trial. This regimen was associated with an elevated response rate (70.4%) and 37 patients (19%) could undergo a secondary R0 surgery on metastases. This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Database at http://www.anzctr.org.au/Statistics.aspx and has ID number ACTRN12608000615381. RESULTS: Main characteristics of the 37 radically resected patients were: median age 64 years (45-73), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG) PS > or = 1 in 30%, synchronous metastases in 65%, multiple sites of disease in 22%, and metastases confined to the liver in 68%. Preoperative FOLFOXIRI was administered for a median of 5.5 months. There was no perioperative mortality and all morbidities (27% of patients) resolved without sequelae. After a median follow up of 67 months, 5-year and 8-year survival are 42% and 33% respectively. At 5 years, 29% of patients are free of disease. The analysis of treatment-induced liver injury showed neither G3 vascular toxicity nor G4 steatosis, and steato-hepatitis in only 5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The GONO-FOLFOXIRI regimen allow an R0 surgery in approximately 1 out of 5 unselected patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer, and the long-term survival of resected patients is considerable. Neoadjuvant FOLFOXIRI for 3-6 months is safe and not associated with severe liver injury.

[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in non-hodgkin lymphoma: a case report]. / Rottura spontanea di milza in linfoma non Hodgkin: caso clinico.

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen without a history of trauma is a rare clinical entity and represents a dramatic abdominal emergency. Most cases of spontaneous rupture occur in a diseased spleen (pathological spontaneous rupture). The authors present the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with pain in the left upper quadrant and clinical signs of haemorrhagic shock. The execution of focused assessment with sonography for trauma in the emergency room revealed the rupture of a pathological spleen with massive haemoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergency splenectomy. Histological examination of the spleen diagnosed infiltration of B cell lymphoma. Spontaneous rupture of the spleen must be considered in patients with acute abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock. The role of focused assessment with sonography for trauma in the emergency room is discussed.

[Acute abdomen due to anisakidosis]. / Addome acuto da anisakidosi ileale.

Anisakidosis is the infestation of man by the larval stage of the parasite Anisakis simplex. A history of ingestion of raw or undercooked fish up to 48-72 hours before the onset is highly orientative. Based on the location of the lesions, various types of human anisakidosis have been identified: gastric, intestinal and luminal forms constitute the majority of cases and symptoms often mimic a variety of acute conditions such as gastritis, acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, or ileitis. We present a case of a young woman admitted to our department with acute abdominal pain. A history of raw fish ingestion was recorded. The patient was submitted to explorative laparoscopy in which an oedematous, thickened segment of ileum was observed. Therefore a small laparotomy was performed, followed by resection of the thickened ileum. The histological examination revealed transmural inflammation with marked infiltration of eosinophils. High levels of total IgE and Anisakis simplex-specific IgE were recorded. Anisakidosis is an underestimated cause of acute abdomen, and should be taken into consideration as a differential diagnosis in these conditions. Nevertheless, in most cases, the correct approach could prove difficult, because surgery may be necessary in these settings, allowing the diagnosis only by histological and parasitological investigation of the resected specimen.

Colorectal cancer in the elderly. Is there a role for safe and curative surgery?

BACKGROUND: Recent reports place colorectal cancer (CRC) as the third most common cancer for both sexes. Elderly patients are often viewed as high-risk surgical candidates with high rates of emergency presentations and perioperative mortality. The aim of our study was to examine the characteristics and perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of elderly patients presented to CRC surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 248 patients who underwent surgery for CRC at our institution between July 2003 and December 2005. Risk factors included sex, age, cancer localization, Dukes' and TNM classification, blood transfusion, preoperative Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity score and mode of presentation. Primary outcome was perioperative death. RESULTS: The study consisted of 143 men and 105 women. One hundred and thirty-four (54%) patients were more than 75 years of age. In the two older groups, cancer was more common in the proximal colon than in the youngest age group (P = 0.001). Of the 25 resections carried out as emergency, 20 were in those who were more than 75 years of age (P < 0.001). In elective procedure, perioperative mortality scores were 3.1% in those who were more than 75 years of age versus 0% in those less than 75 years, meanwhile in emergency, rates of 24 versus 0% (P = not significant) were registered. In Cox multivariate regression analysis, age and mode of presentation reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Old age itself is not an independent negative prognostic factor for CRC surgery. Although emergency operations were associated with poor outcome, most patients survived and left the hospital. This study suggests that, whenever possible, curative intent should be applied in patients with CRC, irrespective of the age.

Markers of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in thyroid adenomas: a comparative immunohistochemical and genetic investigation of functioning and nonfunctioning nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To perform (i) an immunohistochemical investigation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and malignancy markers in 15 functioning and 15 nonfunctioning thyroid adenomas, and in normal adjacent tissue, and (ii) a genetic analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-r), Gsalpha, and RAS mutations in the same group of adenomas, in order to describe their expression within tissues and to correlate them with the hormonal functioning. DESIGN: Thirty patients who underwent surgery for a solitary thyroid nodule were included in the study. Adenomas and normal adjacent tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the following antibodies: MIB-1 for proliferative activity, bcl-2 and mutant p53 for apoptosis control, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) for angiogenic activity, and galectin-3 as a marker for malignancy. To calculate microvascular density, "hot spots" were selected and defined by cells positive for CD34 staining. Genetic analysis for TSH-r, Gsalpha, and H-, K-, and N-RAS mutations was performed on adenoma specimens. MAIN OUTCOMES: Our results evidenced that a proportion of both functioning and nonfunctioning adenomas showed immunohistochemical phenotypes similar to normal adjacent tissue. No differences were found between functioning and nonfunctioning thyroid adenomas with regard to the expression of markers associated to angiogenesis (VEGF-A, microvascular density) and apoptosis control (mutant p53, bcl-2). All adenomas resulted negative for galectin-3 immunostaining. MIB-1 was the only marker showing a substantial difference of expression between the two groups of adenomas. TSH-r mutations were found in 12 out of 15 functioning adenomas, whereas the absence of Gsalpha and H-, K-, and N-RAS mutations was demonstrated in all adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the differences between functioning and nonfunctioning thyroid adenomas are restricted to the genetic mutations of the TSH-r, to the hormonal status of tumors, and to the proliferative activity, not involving markers of apoptosis control and angiogenesis.

Laparoscopic treatment of caecal diverticulitis.

Right-sided diverticulitis is difficult to distinguish from other sources of right-sided abdominal pain and, in particular, is frequently indistinguishable from acute appendicitis preoperatively. Because of the problems concerning preoperative diagnosis and controversies in the management, the choice of the best therapy on the surgeon's part is still open. A total of 1150 patients with a clinical diagnosis of right acute abdomen observed in our surgical department from 1995 to 2003 was analysed. Three patients had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of caecal diverticulitis. The mean age of the patients was 37 years. Right lower quadrant pain and local tenderness were the only clinical findings in 95.3% of the cases, with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in 2 of 3 patients. The operative findings were an inflammatory mass in the caecum and the presence of a minimal amount of free peritoneal fluid. Two patients underwent laparoscopic ileocecectomy and one had a diverticulectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Because of the difficulties in diagnosis and surgical treatment, caecal diverticulitis has been the subject of much discussion in the literature and many questions remain unanswered. Right-sided diverticulitis is easily confused with acute appendicitis because it occurs at a somewhat younger age than sigmoid diverticulitis. Caecal diverticulitis needs a high index of suspicion for achieving a preoperative diagnosis. Diverticulectomy should be performed in patients with small diverticula with a limited inflammatory reaction. Right colectomy should be performed in patients with perforation of the diverticulum, caecal phlegmon or abscess formation. A correct intraoperative diagnosis is therefore crucial for selection of the surgical procedure. Laparoscopic treatment of a solitary, acutely infected colon diverticulum is feasible in this setting. A minimally invasive procedure could be performed, therefore, in patients with right acute abdomen, allowing not only the right diagnosis but also the treatment of the commonest pathologies responsible for this clinical picture.

Treatment with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan enables surgical resection of metastases in patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer might be improved if a radical surgical resection of metastases could be performed after a response to chemotherapy. METHODS: We treated 74 patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (not selected for a neoadjuvant approach) with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOXIRI and simplified FOLFOXIRI). Because of the high activity of these regimens (response rate, 72%), a secondary curative operation could be performed in 19 patients (26%). RESULTS: Four patients underwent an extended hepatectomy, nine patients underwent a right hepatectomy, three patients underwent a left hepatectomy, and three patients had a segmental resection. In five patients, surgical removal of extrahepatic disease was also performed. In seven patients, surgical resection was combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation. The median overall survival of the 19 patients who underwent operation is 36.8 months, and the 4-year survival rate is 37%. The median overall survival of the 34 patients who were responsive to chemotherapy, but who did not undergo operation, is 22.2 months (P = .0114). CONCLUSIONS: The FOLFOXIRI regimens we studied have significant antitumor activity and allow a radical surgical resection of metastases in patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer not selected for a neoadjuvant approach and also those with extrahepatic disease. The median survival of patients with resected disease is promising.