Significance of surgical treatment of liver metastases from gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM The optimal treatment of liver metastases from gastric cancer (LMGC) remains uncertain. We retrospectively compared surgical treatment with chemotherapy alone and identified prognostic determinants. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed the records of 50 consecutive patients with LMGC: 25 patients with gastrectomy plus hepatic resection (group A), 13 patients with palliative gastrectomy (group B), and 12 patients with chemotherapy alone (group C). We compared the overall survival among these three groups, and assessed prognostic factors. RESULTS Median survival time in groups A, B, and C was 33.4, 10.5, and 8.7 months, respectively. Univariate analysis found T stage, number of liver metastases, and treatment group to be significant prognostic factors. In the multivariate analysis, T stage was shown to be an independent prognostic determinant, while gastrectomy plus hepatic resection was of marginal significance compared with chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSION T Stage was a significant prognostic determinant, and gastrectomy plus hepatic resection could be a promising treatment for patients with LMGC.