Background/aims: The rarity of metastatic malignancy in injured liver has been noticed. This meta-analysis evaluates the difference in occurrence of metastatic colorectal cancer in healthy and chronically injured liver.
Methodology: Literature search of occurrence of metastatic colorectal cancer in chronically injured liver opposed to healthy liver was conducted. Chronically injured/damaged liver included cirrhosis, steatosis or fatty liver and infection with Hepatitis virus B or C.
Results: A total of 7 retrospective studies between 1992 and 2010 matched the selection criteria with total of 4049 patients. Results suggest significantly lower incidence of colorectal metastasis in chronically injured liver (Pooled odds ratio = 0.260 (95% CI = 0.18 to 0.38); χ² (test odds ratio differs from 1) = 45.90 (df = 1); p <0.0001).
Conclusions: Patients with chronic liver injury have significantly lower occurrence of hepatic metastasis of primary colorectal cancer than the patients with healthy liver.