Result of liver resection as treatment for metastases from noncolorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
While liver resection for metastatic disease from colorectal cancer extends survival in selected patients, the efficacy of hepatectomy for metastases from other malignancies has not been defined.


METHODS
Between 1988 and 1998, 20 hepatic resections were performed in 18 patients (2 underwent a double resection due to recurrence) as treatment of noncolorectal metastases. One-, 2-, and 5-year overall and disease-related actuarial survival rates were calculated.


RESULTS
No intraoperative or early postoperative deaths were reported. Seven minor (30%) and 1 major (5%) postoperative complications occurred; mean blood loss was 401 +/- 324 ml. In 25% of patients, intra- or postoperative blood transfusion was needed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 13. 2 days (range 9-23). The overall actuarial survival rate was 54% at 1 year, 42% at 2 years, and 21% at 5 years (mean 38 +/- 11 months). Survival is related to the primary tumor nature.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic resection for metastases from noncolorectal carcinoma is safe and feasible, with a relatively low incidence of intra- or postoperative complications and a short hospital stay. Although it achieves good results in terms of survival in patients suffering from neuroendocrine metastases, it could also have a cytoreductive effect for other tumors.
Benevento
A
A
Department of Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. Chirurgia.Uno@ospedale.varese.it
Boni
L
L
Frediani
L
L
Ferrari
A
A
Dionigi
R
R
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate