Surgical resection of hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms: A systematic review

BackgroundNeuroendocrine tumours (NET) most commonly metastasize to the liver. Hepatic resection of NET hepatic metastases (NETHM) has been shown to improve symptomology and survival.MethodsA systematic review of clinical studies before September 2010 was performed to examine the efficacy of hepatic resection for NETHM. As a secondary end-point, the impact of treatment on safety and symptomology were determined and prognostic variables were identified. The quality of each study was also assessed using predefined criteria incorporating 9 characteristics. Clinical outcome was synthesized through a narrative review with full tabulation of results of all included studies.ResultsTwenty-nine included reported survival outcomes with a median 3-, 5- and 10-year overall survival of 83% (range, 63–100%), 70.5% (range, 31–100%), and 42% (range, 0–100%), respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 21 months (range, 13–46 months) and median 1-,3-,5- and 10-year PFS of 63% (range, 50–80 %), 32% (range, 24–69%), 29% (range, 6–66%) and 1% (range, 0–11%), respectively. Poor histologic grade, extra-hepatic disease and a macroscopically incomplete resection were associated with a poor prognosis. Studies reported a median rate of symptomatic relief from surgery in 95% of patients (range, 50–100%).ConclusionHepatic resection for NETHM provides symptomatic benefit and is associated with favourable survival outcomes although the majority of patients invariably develop disease progression.