Characteristics and Prognosis in Gastric Cancer with Liver Metastasis

Kim, Seung Ki; Noh, Sung Hoon; Yoo, Chang Hak; Kim, Yong Il; Min, Jin Sik; Lee, Kyong Sik

Abstract

PURPOSE: Until several years ago, gastric or hepatic resection was seldom indicated for metastatic gastric cancer because of the expected dismal prognosis. Recently, some studies have reported benefits from gastric or hepatic resection for metastatic gastric cancer. We performed this retrospective study to see the prognosis after aggressive surgery in gastric cancer patients with hepatic metastasis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 112 gastric cancer patients were confirmed to have liver metastasis at the time of initial surgery or preoperative evaluation during the 8-year period from January, 1987 to December, 1994 at the Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, College of Medicine. Thirty eight cases (33.9%) underwent gastrectomy (total gastrectomy: 15, subtotal gastrectomy: 23). Of these 38 cases, 12 underwent a combined resection of metastatic hepatic tumors (segmentectomy: 7, wedge resection: 3, lobectomy: 1 and enucleation: 1).
RESULTS
The locations of primary lesion were most common in the lower 1/3 of the stomach in all of the nonresected, the gastrectomy only, and the gastrectomy & hepatectomy group. Most of the cancers belonged to Borrmann type III and IV. Histologically, dedifferentiated cancer (poorly differentiated cancer, signet ring cell cancer, mucinous cancer) was more frequent in the nonresected group (67.4%) while differentiated cancer (papillary cancer, well differentiated cancer, moderately differentiated cancer) was more frequent in the resected group (60.9%). The number of metastatic hepatic nodules were less than two in the resected group and the location of metastatic lesions tended to be limited to one lobe. Concerning the prognosis, the mean survival of the resected group was better than the nonresected group (nonresected group: 8.4 months, gastrectomy only group: 18.4 months, gastrectomy & hepatectomy group: 35.5 months). The mean score of QOL (quality of life) according to Spitzer index was better in the resected group (nonresected group: 5.1, gastrectomy only group: 6.0, gastrectomy & hepatectomy group: 7.5).
CONCLUSION
Resection of both the primary gastric lesion and the metastatic hepatic lesion should be considered in selected cases to improve the survival and the quality of life in patients with hepatic metastasis.