Surgical resection of liver metastases of gastric cancer: an analysis of a 17-year experience with 22 patients

BACKGROUND: The justification for surgical resection of liver metastases from gastric cancer remains controversial. METHODS: Twenty-two patients who underwent 26 hepatectomies for liver metastases of gastric cancer between 1985 and 2001 were analyzed. Fifteen clinicopathologic factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses for survival after hepatic resection. RESULTS: The overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy for gastric metastases were 73%, 38%, and 38%, respectively. Five patients survived for more than 3 years without recurrence, 3 of whom had synchronous metastases resected at the time of gastrectomy. The best results after surgical resection for liver metastases of gastric cancer were obtained with solitary metastases less than 5 cm in size. The number of liver metastases (solitary or multiple) was the only significant prognostic factor according to both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection for liver metastases of gastric cancer may be beneficial for patients with a solitary metastasis, whether it is synchronous or metachronous.