Operative resection of primary carcinoid neoplasms in patients with liver metastases yields significantly better survival.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether there is a benefit to resection of primary gastrointestinal carcinoid neoplasm with hepatic metastases. We investigated whether primary tumor resection in this setting led to a significant difference in outcomes.


METHODS
A retrospective review of patients with abdominal carcinoid neoplasms between 1995 and 2006 was performed. Data collected on patients with proven carcinoid liver metastases at initial diagnosis included whether the primary neoplasm was resected, time to progression of liver metastases, and status at last follow-up. Progression-free survival and survival were calculated by the method of Kaplan-Meier and compared by the log-rank test.


RESULTS
There were 84 patients, 60 of whom had their primary neoplasm resected. The resected group had a greater median progression-free survival of 56 months, compared with 25 months for the primary nonresected group (P < .001). Median survival time for the resected group was longer at 159 months, compared with 47 months for the nonresected group (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Resection of the primary neoplasm is associated with better progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with abdominal carcinoid neoplasms. Therefore, localization and resection of the primary neoplasm should be considered, even among patients in whom the primary neoplasm is asymptomatic.
Givi
Babak
B
Department of Surgery, Divisions of Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Pommier
Suellen J
SJ
Thompson
Alivia K
AK
Diggs
Brian S
BS
Pommier
Rodney F
RF
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome