Resection of noncolorectal nonneuroendocrine liver metastases: a comparative analysis

Although established for metastatic colorectal (CR) and neuroendocrine (NE) malignancies, the role of partial hepatectomy in management of metastases from other primaries (NCRNE) is not well-defined.

The objective of this retrospective study is to compare outcomes after partial hepatectomy for NCRNE, NE, and CR metastases and to identify factors associated with longterm survival for patients with NCRNE diseases. Tumor characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of 360 consecutive patients undergoing resection of NCRNE (n = 82), CR (n = 245), and NE (n = 33) hepatic metastases from 1995 to 2005 were analyzed. NCRNE tumors included breast (n = 20), sarcomas (n = 19), genitourinary (n = 18), melanoma (n = 11), and other (n = 14) cancers. The start date for follow-up and survival analyses was the date of partial hepatectomy.

For patients with NCRNE, CR, and NE tumors, there were no marked differences in postoperative mortality (4%, 4%, and 9%) or complication (30%, 42%, and 42%) rates. Median overall survival was longest for NE patients (not yet reached) versus NCRNE and CR (both 44 months) patients (p < 0.05, log-rank test). NCRNE patients had shorter disease-free survival than CR counterparts (13 versus 16 months), p < 0.05 (log-rank test). After median followup of 59 months for NCRNE patients, actuarial 5-year overall and disease-free survival was 37% and 16%, respectively, with 15 5-year survivors. Multivariable analysis suggests that interval from discovery of liver metastases to resection > 6 months (p = 0.08) and administration of chemoradiotherapy after resection (p = 0.06) might be associated with improved overall survival.

In selected patients, resection of NCRNE liver metastases can be done safely with survival similar to CR metastases. Delay of liver resection for at least 6 months and treatment with chemoradiotherapy after resection might be associated with improved longterm survival after partial hepatectomy.