Hepatic resection for isolated breast cancer liver metastasis: A single-center experience

Abstract

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of selected patients with breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) without extrahepatic metastases after hepatic resection. Methods Patients whose imaging findings did not show extrahepatic disease were selected for hepatic resection. If R0 resection was available and the operative risk was low in preoperative tests, the patients underwent surgery. Results Between 2011 and 2014, six patients underwent hepatic resection for BCLM. All patients received hepatic resection to achieve an R0 resection. The time interval between initial detection of breast cancer and that of liver metastases in the patients, excluding one patient with synchronous metastases, was 55.2 months. Major liver resection was performed in four patients. Differences were observed in the hormone receptor status between the primary breast tumor and liver metastases; however, no difference was observed in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates after hepatic resection were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. The 1-year and 3-year disease free survival rates after hepatic resection were 66.7% and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusion Curative resection may be considered as one of the multimodality treatments for BCLM. It shows benefit in selected patients; its selection criteria needs to be investigated.

Keywords

• breast neoplasms
• liver metastasis
• liver resection
• prognosis