Hepatic metastases from non colorectal cancer: which ones should be resected?

Background and objectives While liver resection for metastatic disease from colorectal cancer is likely to extend survival in selected patients, the efficacy of hepatic resection as treatment for metastases from other malignancies has not yet been defined. Methods Between 1988 and 2000, 26 hepatic resections were performed on 24 patients (two patients underwent a double resection due to recurrence), as treatment of non-colorectal metastases. One, two, five years’ overall and disease-related actuarial survival (sec. Kaplan-Meier) have been calculated. Results No intraoperative or early post-operative deaths were reported. Seven minor (30%) and one major (5%) post operative complications occurred; the mean blood loss was 401 +/− 324 ml; in 75% of patients, no intra/post operative blood transfusion was needed. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 13.2 days (9–23). The overall actuarial survival rate was 54% at one year, 42% at two years and 21% at five years (mean 38 ± 11 months). Survival is related to the primary tumor nature and stage. Conclusions Hepatic resection for metastases from non-colorectal carcinoma is safe and feasible, with relatively low incidence of intra/post-operative complications, and short hospital stay. Although it achieves good results in terms of survival only in patients suffering from neuroendocrine metastases, it could also have a cytoreductive effect for other tumors.