Non-colorectal liver metastases: surgical treatment options

Hepatogastroenterology. 2012 Jan-Feb;59(113):245-8. doi: 10.5754/hge10292.

Abstract

Background/aims: Due to different biological characteristics of non-colorectal liver metastasizes (NCLM), surgical treatment, especially it´s long term results, is a topic of discussion. The aim of the study was to evaluate the single center experience with surgical treatment of NCLM.

Methodology: Seventy two patients were prospectively included. The average length of time after the primary surgery was 3.9 years (0-8.5 years). RFA prevailed -50 patients (69.4%), resection presenting 30.6%. Preoperative chemotherapeutical downstaging or portal vein embolization was performed on 12 patients (16.7%). Resectable or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatable extrahepatic metastasizes were removed in 26 patients (36.1%).

Results: One, three and five years patient survival after the liver resection or RFA was 88.6, 72.5 and 36.9%. The best survival rate was in patients with carcinoid (5 years-100%), breast cancer (5 years-33.8%), renal carcinoma (3 years-44.4% ) and gynecological tumors metastasizes (2 years-72.9%). With regards to long-term survival of patients, we did not find any statistically significant difference between RFA and resection. Patients with extrahepatic metastasizes had worse prognosis (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Liver resection and RFA in NCLM have an unambiguous place in multi-modal curative strategy. The decision for surgical treatment of patients suffering from NCLM, is strictly individual with the aim of achieving qualitative long-term survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
  • Catheter Ablation* / mortality
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Czech Republic
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Hepatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Hepatectomy* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Metastasectomy* / adverse effects
  • Metastasectomy* / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Patient Selection
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Survival Rate
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome