Results of surgical excision of one to 13 hepatic metastases in 98 consecutive patients.
Metastatic carcinoma to the liver is generally considered to be associated with a poor prognosis, with five-year survival of only 20% to 30% after resection of solitary lesions. Ninety-eight consecutive patients underwent the surgical removal of one to 13 metastatic lesions from the liver. A rising carcinoembryonic antigen level was considered an indication for reexploration. All gross tumor was removed in every patient; 66 had more than one metastasis. Survival was unexpectedly high: 91 of 98 were alive at 12 months, 50 (70%) of 71 at 13 to 24 months, 23 (66%) of 36 at 25 to 36 months, 14 (74%) of 19 at 37 to 48 months, six (60%) of ten at 49 to 60 months, four (80%) of five at 61 to 72 months, and two (50%) of four 73 to 84 months after resection of multiple liver metastases. The procedure appears to be a safe and, in some patients, beneficial surgical technique for the removal of multiple hepatic metastases.
Minton
J P
JP
Department of Surgery, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 43210.
Hamilton
W B
WB
Sardi
A
A
Nieroda
C
C
Sickle-Santanello
B
B
O'Dwyer
P J
PJ
D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications