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Surgery for isolated liver metastases from pancreatic cancer

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Abstract

The resection of liver metastases from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has been discouraged because it is commonly thought that it does not improve survival. However, the role of potential prognostic factors is unclear, and universally accepted strategies have not been proposed. Between 2003 and 2014, 15 patients with isolated synchronous or metachronous metastases from pancreatic cancer underwent liver resection in our department. The role of potential prognostic factors was analyzed to predict survival. One right hepatectomy, 1 bisegmentectomy and 13 wedge resections were performed. Eleven patients underwent simultaneous pancreatic and liver resection for synchronous disease. The median overall survival (OS) was 9.1 months (95 % CI 8.6–9.7). The only potential prognostic factor that significatively affected survival was the timing of metastases (metachronous vs. synchronous). Median OS in patients with metachronous disease was 11.4 months (95 % CI 0–25.1) vs. 8.3 months (95 % CI 6.9–9.7), p = 0.038. Surgery for liver metastases from pancreatic cancer is not suggested for most patients. If resection is considered, timing of metastatic disease could be a prognostic factor for survival after surgery.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy

    Nicola Zanini, Raffaele Lombardi, Michele Masetti & Elio Jovine

  2. Department of Surgery, San Marino State Hospital, Via Scialoja, 1, 47893, Borgo Maggiore, San Marino

    Nicola Zanini, Marco Giordano, Giovanni Landolfo & Elio Jovine

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  1. Nicola Zanini
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  2. Raffaele Lombardi
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  3. Michele Masetti
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Correspondence to Nicola Zanini.

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Zanini, N., Lombardi, R., Masetti, M. et al. Surgery for isolated liver metastases from pancreatic cancer. Updates Surg 67, 19–25 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-015-0283-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-015-0283-6

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