The Role of Hepatectomy for Patients with Liver Metastases of Gastric Cancer

Background/aims: Although the role of hepatectomy for patients with colorectal liver metastases is well established, few reports exist of hepatectomy for patients with metastases of gastric cancer origin. This study reviews cases of hepatectomy for metastatic gastric cancer at Fujita Health University Hospital.

Methodology: Between 1989 and 2004, 18 patients underwent hepatectomy for liver metastases from gastric cancer. The patients consisted of 16 men and 2 women and their ages ranged from 51-76 (median 64) years. Hepatic resection was indicated for patients with synchronous metastases who did not have peritoneal dissemination or any other distant metastases (11 patients), and patients with metachronous metastases who did not have any other recurrent lesions (7 patients).

Results: Overall survival rate for 1, 2, 3, and 5 years are 56.3, 36.5, 27.3, and 27.3%, respectively. Although the 5-year survival rate was considerable, an early and rapid decrease of survival rate occurred in the first 1-2 years (compared with the colorectal patients). Univariate analysis showed serosal invasion and lymphatic invasion of the primary tumor as significant prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusions: Surgical resection for liver metastases of gastric cancer is thought to be beneficial for small part of the patients. For other patients, the procedure may only provide the limited beneficial effects on survival.