Perioperative Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics Impact Outcomes for Colorectal Liver Metastases Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy

Perioperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics have been found to correlate with outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CLM). In this prospective study, 48 patients were analyzed for ctDNA presence before and after surgery. It was found that patients with ctDNA detected both before and after surgery had worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared to those with ctDNA detected only before surgery or not at all. These findings suggest that monitoring perioperative ctDNA dynamics can help identify patients at high risk of recurrence and guide treatment decisions and surveillance strategies.