The problem of liver metastasis.

ABSTRACT

The detection and management of tumors metastatic to the liver is still unsettled. The uniformly poor prognosis only underlines the need to diagnose and treat the primary malignant lesion earlier, before systemic metastases lodge in the liver, lung or brain. Serologic markers are not specific or sensitive enough although when used serially they may follow the course of some tumors. The exciting advances in radiologic diagnosis have allowed a more accurate and pictorial representation of disease, exciting cross-sectional views but not earlier diagnosis. The use of scans and ultrasound as a screening measure is investigational only as there is not good evidence to support this as a routine screening test. The treatment of hepatic metastases is also insoluble. For primary lesions that are controlled surgically and whose natural history is measured in years (not months) a more aggressive approach is justified. Lesions confined to one lobe, particularly single lesions, lend themselves to resection. Segmental or wedge resection is the equal of formal hepatic lobectomy and is safer for patients and surgeons. For most patients (70 to 85 percent) operation is not a reasonable choice. How does one select from no therapy, intravenous chemotherapy, intraarterial chemotherapy (implantable pumps, infusion plus embolization) or hepatic artery embolization? These decisions are not easily reached. Institutional enthusiasm is as much a reflection of local expertise and biases as are meaningful data. There are responders to all of these methods, but few long-term survivors. Side effects that limit life style and activity detract from some of the remaining days. Today patients share in the decision-making process. Their own biases are frequently in discord with the treating physician's. When this exists and data do not support one treatment method we acquiesce to the patient's wishes and use his or her experience to increase our data base. Intraarterial chemotherapy is making a strong impact, objective information not withstanding. Unless an implantable pump is covered by third party payments we prefer a "test trial" of several monthly intraarterial injections of chemotherapy to see if a positive effect occurs. Intravenous chemotherapy remains our therapeutic choice particularly if part of a trial. If there is no response and side effects are severe, we prefer to withdraw treatment.