Outcome of hepatic resection for metastatic gastric cancer

Roh, Hye Rin; Suh, Kyung Suk; Lee, Hyuk Joon; Yang, Han Kwang; Choe, Kuk Jin; Lee, Kuhn Uk

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of hepatic resection for metastatic gastric cancer is less well defined due to its tendency of multiple intra- and extra-hepatic metastatic patterns. We have reviewed our experiences in the gastric cancer patients with liver metastases to define good candidates for the prolonged survival by hepatic resection.
METHODS
Records of eleven patients who underwent hepaatic resection for metastatic gastric cancer from January 1988 to December 1996 at Seooul National University Hospital were reviewed. The clinicopathologic features and their long-term results were analysed.
RESULTS
All resected hepatic metastases were solitary mass. Among eight patients with synchronous liver metastases, only one patient who had early gastric cancer with lymph node metastases (T1N2M1) was alive for 9 years 6 months after hepatic resection without recurrence. Among three patients with metachronous liver metastases, two patients who had advanced gastric cancer with lymph node metastases (T3N2M0, T2N1M0 at initial operation, respectively) survived 8 years 6 months and 3 years after hepatic resection, respectively. Median survival time of synchronous and metachronous liver metastases were 13.0 and 74.3 months, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Good prognosis may be expected in some selected patients who underwent hepatic resection for metastatic gastric cancer.