Hepatic resection for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine, non-sarcoma metastasis: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyse the outcome after hepatic resection for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine, non-sarcomatous (NCNNNS) metastatic tumours and to identify the factors predicting survival. METHODS: All patients who underwent hepatic resection for NCNNNS metastatic tumours between September 1996 and June 2009 were included. Patients' demographics, clinical and histopathological parameters, overall survival and the factors predicting survival were analysed. RESULTS: In all, 65 patients underwent hepatic resection for metastasis. The most common site of a primary tumour was the kidney (24 patients). Fifteen patients had synchronous tumours. Fifty patients had major liver resections and 22 patients had bilobar disease. The median number of liver lesions resected was 1 and the median maximum diameter of the metastasis was 6 cm. A R0 resection was performed in 51 patients. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival from the time of metastasectomy was 72.9%, 47.9% and 25.6%, respectively, with a median survival of 19 months. The presence of a tumour of greater than 6 cm (P= 0.048) and a positive resection margin (P= 0.04) were associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection for metastasis from NCNNNS tumours can offer acceptable long-term survival in selected patients. To offer a chance of a cure a R0 resection must be performed.