Hepatic metastases from carcinoma of the gallbladder

The optimal hepatic resection margin for gallbladder cancer (GBC) is still debated. To explore this issue, the authors analyzed the mode of hepatic spread of GBC.

Of 85 patients undergoing radical cholecystectomy, 20 had hepatic metastases. The pattern of hepatic metastasis was examined grossly and histologically in specimens.

Twelve patients had evidence of microscopic angiolymphatic portal tract invasion, with or without direct liver invasion. Four had direct invasion alone, and three had distant hepatic metastatic nodules. The distance (y axis) between the farthest angiolymphatic lesion and primary tumor (mm) correlated significantly with the gross depth (x axis) of direct invasion (mm): y = 1.3 + 0.33x (r = 0.88, P < 0.01). Three patients with metastatic nodules died of blood-borne disease within a year. Eight of the others obtained either long-term palliation or cure after potentially curative resection. Lymph node metastases were detected in 90% of patients.

The extent of microscopic angiolymphatic portal tract invasion correlates well with the gross depth of direct invasion of the liver. This correlation may be useful for estimating adequate hepatectomy margins. A hepatectomy with an adequate margin combined with a radical lymphadenectomy provides benefit for selected patients with hepatic metastases.