Hepatic resection of non-colorectal and non-neuroendocrine liver metastases – Survival benefit for patients with non-gastrointestinal primary cancers – A case-controlled study

PurposeWhereas resection of colorectal liver metastases is gold standard, there is an ongoing debate on benefit of resection of non-colorectal (NCRC) and non-neuroendocrine (NNEC) liver metastases.MethodsThe potential survival benefit of patients undergoing resection of NCRC or NNEC liver metastases was investigated. Data from a prospectively maintained database were reviewed over a 7-year period. Kaplan–Meier method was used for the evaluation of outcome following resection.Results101 patients underwent 116 surgical procedures for synchronous and metachronous NCRC or NNEC liver metastases with a morbidity of 23% and a mortality of ∼1%. 11 patients underwent repeated liver resection procedures. Overall 5-year survival after liver resection was 30% depending on primary tumour site. Median survival was significantly increased after resection of hepatic metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries compared to gastrointestinal primaries. Resection of hepatic metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries resulted in significantly increased median survival compared to exploration only. Patients with hepatic metastases from gastrointestinal primaries did not benefit from hepatic surgery.ConclusionHepatic resection for liver metastases from NCRC or NNEC cancers is a save treatment procedure. However, the decision to perform surgery should depend on the primary cancer. Especially patients with liver metastases from non-gastrointestinal primaries profit from hepatic surgery.