Indication for hepatic resection in the treatment of liver metastasis from gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND The significance of hepatic resection for liver metastasis after gastric cancer is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hepatic resection in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on the outcome of 63 patients with liver metastases without other non-curative factors of gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy with or without hepatic resection. RESULTS Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 61.9%, 17.2%, and 10.3%, respectively, with a median survival time of 16 months. This increased to 82.3%, 46.4%, and 37.1%, respectively, with a median survival time of 31.2 months in patients who underwent hepatic resection. Multivariate analysis showed that hepatic resection was an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, unilobar liver metastases significantly influenced favorable prognosis in patients receiving hepatic resection by univariate analysis. CONCLUSION In patients with liver metastases, hepatic resection may be a therapeutic option in the presence of unilobar liver metastases.