Hepatic resection of non-colorectal and non-neuroendocrine liver metastases - survival benefit for patients with non-gastrointestinal primary cancers - a case-controlled study

Int J Surg. 2014;12(2):163-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2013.12.002. Epub 2013 Dec 14.

Abstract

Purpose: Whereas resection of colorectal liver metastases is gold standard, there is an ongoing debate on benefit of resection of non-colorectal (NCRC) and non-neuroendocrine (NNEC) liver metastases.

Methods: The potential survival benefit of patients undergoing resection of NCRC or NNEC liver metastases was investigated. Data from a prospectively maintained database were reviewed over a 7-year period. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the evaluation of outcome following resection.

Results: 101 patients underwent 116 surgical procedures for synchronous and metachronous NCRC or NNEC liver metastases with a morbidity of 23% and a mortality of ∼1%. 11 patients underwent repeated liver resection procedures. Overall 5-year survival after liver resection was 30% depending on primary tumour site. Median survival was significantly increased after resection of hepatic metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries compared to gastrointestinal primaries. Resection of hepatic metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries resulted in significantly increased median survival compared to exploration only. Patients with hepatic metastases from gastrointestinal primaries did not benefit from hepatic surgery.

Conclusion: Hepatic resection for liver metastases from NCRC or NNEC cancers is a save treatment procedure. However, the decision to perform surgery should depend on the primary cancer. Especially patients with liver metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries profit from hepatic surgery.

Keywords: Liver metastases; Non-colorectal; Non-neuroendocrine; Surgery; Survival benefit.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hepatectomy / methods*
  • Hepatectomy / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reoperation