Surgical resection for hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer: a multi- institution study. Oncotarget. 2017;8:71147-71153. [PMID: 29050350 PMCID: PMC5642625 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16705]

Curative treatment for oligometastatic gastroesophageal cancer- results of a prospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

Oligometastatic gastroesophageal cancer is a clinical entity with no standard treatment recommendation. Treatment with curative intent has recently emerged as an option for selected patients in contrast to the traditional palliative treatment strategy. This prospective study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of combined systemic and local treatment with curative intent for patients with oligometastatic gastroesophageal cancer.

METHODS

In a multicenter study, consecutive patients with gastroesophageal cancer and metastases in the liver and/or extra-regional lymph nodes were screened for inclusion. Eligible patients were offered curatively intended perioperative chemotherapy followed by surgical resection or liver ablation. Primary endpoints were treatment safety and feasibility. Secondary outcomes included postoperative mortality, treatment response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Subgroup analyses were stratified based on oligometastatic location.

RESULTS

A total of 29 (82.9%) patients completed treatment with surgical resection (93.1%), liver ablation (3.4%), or definitive chemoradiotherapy (3.4%). Postoperative complications were found in 19 (73.1%) patients, whereas postoperative mortality was 0%. The most common complications included infection (34.6%) and respiratory complications (34.6%). Median overall survival was 20.9 months (interquartile range 11.2-42.6) from diagnosis and 17.0 months (interquartile range 6.4-35.9) from surgery in patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Median progression-free survival was 5.8 months (interquartile range 3.1-11.3).

CONCLUSION

This study found curative treatment to be a relatively safe option, with an overall survival of 20.8 months and no postoperative mortality.

Surgical treatment for liver metastasis from gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcomes and prognostic factors

Chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment for liver metastasis from gastric cancer. However, some retrospective studies and meta-analyses have indicated the efficacy of hepatectomy, which is an aggressive treatment option. However, the optimal selection criteria for hepatectomy and the role of perioperative chemotherapy remain unclear. Therefore, a meta-analysis of studies on hepatectomy was performed to assess the impact of various factors on overall survival (OS). A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA criteria using studies published until 2022. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) for OS. Comparisons were made between hepatectomy and nonhepatectomy, solitary and multiple metastases, synchronous and metachronous metastases, treatment with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and treatment with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 50 studies involving 1966 patients who underwent hepatectomy were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis showed a 5-year OS rate of 25 %. A meta-analysis comparing hepatectomy with nonhepatectomy showed an HR of 0.2 for hepatectomy. A meta-analysis comparing solitary and multiple metastases showed a trend toward better OS in patients with solitary metastases (odds ratio [OR]: 0.35). A meta-analysis comparing synchronous and metachronous metastases showed favorable OS for patients with metachronous metastases (OR: 0.66). A meta-analysis comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with no neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed no difference in OS. In contrast, a meta-analysis comparing adjuvant chemotherapy with no adjuvant chemotherapy showed better OS for adjuvant chemotherapy (OR: 0.39). This retrospective study indicates that hepatectomy may benefit patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer, particularly those with solitary and metachronous metastases.

Safety and Efficacy of Simultaneous Resection of Gastric Carcinoma and Synchronous Liver Metastasis-A Western Center Experience

Background and objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is often diagnosed in the metastatic stage. Palliative systemic therapy is still considered the gold standard, even for patients with resectable oligometastatic disease. The aim of the current study is to assess the potential benefit of up-front gastric and liver resection in patients with synchronous resectable liver-only metastases from GC (LMGC) in a Western population. Materials and Methods: All patients with GC and synchronous LMGC who underwent gastric resection with or without simultaneous resection of LMs between January 1997 and December 2016 were selected from the institutional records. Those with T4b primary tumors or with unresectable or more than three LMs were excluded from the analysis. All patients who underwent emergency surgery for hemorrhagic shock or gastric perforation were also excluded. Results: Out of 28 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 16 underwent simultaneous gastric and liver resection (SR group), while 12 underwent palliative gastric resection (GR group). The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was of 18.81 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates of 71.4%, 17.9% and 14.3%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates in SR group (75%, 31.3% and 25%, respectively) were significantly higher than those achieved in GR group (66.7%, 0% and 0%, respectively; p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort revealed that the only independent prognostic factor associated with better OS was liver resection (HR = 3.954, 95% CI: 1.542-10.139; p = 0.004). Conclusions: In a Western cohort, simultaneous resection of GC and LMGC significantly improved OS compared to patients who underwent palliative gastric resection.

Is hepatic resection justified for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection (HR) is effective for colorectal or neuroendocrine liver metastases. However, the role of HR for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases (NCNNLM) is unknown. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on long-term clinical outcomes after HR for NCNNLM.

METHODS

electronic search was performed to identify relevant publications using PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Primary outcomes were 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were post-operative morbidity and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 40 selected studies involving 5696 patients with NCNNLM undergone HR. Pooled data analyses showed that the 3- and 5-year OS were 40% (95% CI 0.35-0.46) and 32% (95% CI 0.29-0.36), whereas the 3- and 5-year DFS were 28% (95% CI 0.21-0.36) and 24% (95% CI 0.20-0.30), respectively. The postoperative morbidity rate was 28%, while the 30-day mortality was 2%. Subgroup analysis on HR for gastric cancer liver metastasis revealed the 3-year and 5-year OS of 39% and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HR for NCNNLM may achieve satisfactory survival outcome in selected patients with low morbidities and mortalities. However, more concrete evidence from prospective study is warrant in future.

Definition of oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer and impact of local oligometastasis-directed treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Local treatment (metastasectomy or stereotactic radiotherapy) for oligometastatic disease (OMD) in patients with esophagogastric cancer may improve overall survival (OS). The primary aim was to identify definitions of esophagogastric OMD. A secondary aim was to perform a meta-analysis of OS after local treatment versus systemic therapy alone for OMD.

METHODS

Studies and study protocols reporting on definitions or OS after local treatment for esophagogastric OMD were included. The primary outcome was the maximum number of organs/lesions considered OMD and the maximum number of lesions per organ (i.e. 'organ-specific' OMD burden). Agreement was considered to be either absent/poor (< 50%), fair (50%-75%), or consensus (≥ 75%). The secondary outcome was the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for OS after local treatment versus systemic therapy alone. The ROBINS tool was used for quality assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 97 studies, including 7 study protocols, and 2 prospective studies, were included. OMD was considered in 1 organ with ≤ 3 metastases (consensus). 'Organ-specific' OMD burden could involve bilobar ≤ 3 liver metastases, unilateral ≤ 2 lung metastases, 1 extra-regional lymph node station, ≤ 2 brain metastases, or bilateral adrenal gland metastases (consensus). Local treatment for OMD was associated with improved OS compared with systemic therapy alone based on 6 non-randomized studies (pooled aHR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30-0.74) and for liver oligometastases based on 5 non-randomized studies (pooled aHR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.59). All studies scored serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature considers esophagogastric cancer spread limited to 1 organ with ≤ 3 metastases or 1 extra-regional lymph node station to be OMD. Local treatment for OMD appeared associated with improved OS compared with systemic therapy alone. Prospective randomized trials are warranted.

Proposal of new treatment algorithm for gastric cancer liver metastases: Up-front surgery or conversion surgery?

Hepatectomy for gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) has a 5-year survival rate of 9-42%; however, indications for hepatectomy remain unclear. Many researchers have reported prognostic factors for GCLM after hepatectomy, but surgical indications vary according to the literature. Furthermore, the indication for optimal candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and intensive chemotherapy is also unclear. To understand the indications for surgery and chemotherapy intended for hepatectomy for GCLM, a new treatment algorithm was created based on previously reported evidence from the viewpoint of hepatic surgeons.

The seen and the unseen: Molecular classification and image based-analysis of gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal cancers account for 22.5% of cancer related deaths worldwide and represent circa 20% of all cancers. In the last decades, we have witnessed a shift from histology-based to molecular-based classifications using genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic data. The molecular based classification revealed new prognostic markers and may aid the therapy selection. Because of the high-costs to perform a molecular classification, in recent years immunohistochemistry-based surrogate classification were developed which permit the stratification of patients, and in parallel multiple groups developed hematoxylin and eosin whole slide image analysis for sub-classifying these entities. Hence, we are witnessing a return to an image-based classification with the purpose to infer hidden information from routine histology images that would permit to detect the patients that respond to specific therapies and would be able to predict their outcome. In this review paper, we will discuss the current histological, molecular, and immunohistochemical classifications of the most common gastrointestinal cancers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma, and will present key aspects for developing a new artificial intelligence aided image-based classification of these malignancies.

Identifying Optimal Surgical Intervention-Based Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer Patients With Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of surgical treatments-based chemotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastases (GCLM). It has not been established whether Liver-directed treatment (LDT) options such as hepatectomy and gastrectomy plus chemotherapy (HGCT), radiofrequency ablation and gastrectomy plus chemotherapy (RFAG), transarterial chemoembolization and gastrectomy plus chemotherapy (TACEG), gastrectomy plus chemotherapy (GCT) enhance the survival of GCLM patients.

METHODS

We performed systematic literature searches in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library from inception to September 2021. We created a network plot to comprehensively analyze the direct and indirect evidence, based on a frequentist method. A contribution plot was used to determine inconsistencies, a forest plot was used to evaluate therapeutic effects, the publication bias was controlled by funnel plot, while the value of surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) was calculated to estimate rank probability.

RESULTS

A total of 23 retrospective studies were identified, involving 5472 GCLM patients. For OS and 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate of all trials, meta-analysis of the direct comparisons showed significant better for HGCT treatments compared with GCT or PCT. In the comparison of the 5 treatments for 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate, HGCT and RFAG were found to be more effective than GCT and PCT, respectively. By OS and 2-, 3-year survival rate analysis, RFAG was identified as the best option, followed by HGCT, TACEG, GCT and PCT. By 1-year survival rate analysis, HGCT and RFAG were identified as the most effective options.

CONCLUSION

HGCT and RFAG has remarkable survival benefits for GCLM patients when compared to TACEG, GCT and PCT. HGCT was found to exhibit superior therapeutic effects for GCLM patients for 1-year survival rate while RFAG was found to be a prospective therapeutic alternative for OS and 2-, 3-year survival rate.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

identifier [10.37766/inplasy2020.12.0009].

Surgical treatment of gastric cancer liver metastases: Systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcomes and prognostic factors

The prognosis of patients with metastatic gastric cancer remains dismal, with palliative treatment as standard of care. However, encouraging results have been reported for surgical resection of liver only metastatic gastric cancer in carefully selected patients. A systematic review of articles published from 2000 onwards was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-nine studies were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis. Meta-analysis of proportions pointed out 29.1 % 5ySR (I 2 = 39 %). The pooled weighted median of MSTs was 31.1 months. T stage > 2, metastasis greatest dimension ≥ 5 cm, the presence of multiple metastases and bilobar disease resulted among the strongest predictors of mortality. Funnel plots, Egger's tests, and P-curve analyses failed to show significant publication bias. Based on strict selection criteria and robust statistical analyses, our results show that, in very carefully selected patients without extrahepatic disease, surgical resection with curative intent may significantly improve overall survival.

Efficacy of Surgery for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Factors

BACKGROUND

In the last 10 years, the management of patients with gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) has changed from chemotherapy alone, towards a multidisciplinary treatment with liver surgery playing a leading role. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of hepatectomy for GCLM and to analyze the impact of related prognostic factors on long-term outcomes.

METHODS

The databases PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles from January 2010 to September 2020. We included prospective and retrospective studies that reported the outcomes after hepatectomy for GCLM. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of prognostic factors was performed.

RESULTS

We included 40 studies, including 1573 participants who underwent hepatic resection for GCLM. Post-operative morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 24.7% and 1.6%, respectively. One-year, 3-years, and 5-years overall survival (OS) were 72%, 37%, and 26%, respectively. The 1-year, 3-years, and 5-years disease-free survival (DFS) were 44%, 24%, and 22%, respectively. Well-moderately differentiated tumors, pT1-2 and pN0-1 adenocarcinoma, R0 resection, the presence of solitary metastasis, unilobar metastases, metachronous metastasis, and chemotherapy were all strongly positively associated to better OS and DFS.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we demonstrated that hepatectomy for GCLM is feasible and provides benefits in terms of long-term survival. Identification of patient subgroups that could benefit from surgical treatment is mandatory in a multidisciplinary setting.

Perioperative FLOT chemotherapy plus surgery for oligometastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: surgical outcome and overall survival

BACKGROUND

Guidelines do not recommend surgery for patients with oligometastatic disease from esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGAC), although some studies suggest a more favorable survival. We analyzed the outcome of oligometastatic EGAC receiving FLOT chemotherapy followed by surgery.

METHODS

The data of patients with either pre-therapeutic, post-neoadjuvant or intraoperative clinical diagnosis of oligometastatic EGAC were extracted from a prospective database of the 2009-2018 treatment period. 48 consecutive patients were identified with oligometastatic disease, who underwent perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery. We retrospectively analyzed surgical outcome and overall survival.

RESULTS

The overall 5-year survival was 18%. 12 patients (25%) with pre-therapeutic oligometastatic EGAC, who had no histologic vital tumor evidence of metastases after surgery had a survival rate of 48% compared to an 11% 5-year survival rate of 36 patients (75%), who had histologic vital tumor metastatic evidence after FLOT chemotherapy and surgical resection (p = 0.012). The survival rates after R0, R1 and R2 (non-resected metastases) resection were 21% (n = 33), 0% (n = 4) and 17% (n = 11), respectively (p = 0.273).

CONCLUSION

Oligometastatic EGAC is associated with poor overall survival even after complete resection of all tumor manifestations. The subgroup of patients with a complete histologic response of metastatic lesions to neoadjuvant FLOT shows 5-year survival rates similar to non-metastatic EGAC. Trial registration Not applicable.

Prognostic Factors After Hepatectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma Liver Metastases: Desmoplastic Growth Pattern as the Key to Improved Overall Survival

Purpose

Hepatectomy (Hp) is an alternative approach for the treatment of gastric carcinoma liver metastases (GCLM). However, prognostic factors that may assist patient selection are still controversial. Several pathologic features, such as the growth pattern (GP), associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer liver metastases, were never investigated in GCLM. Our principal aim was to assess if the GP has prognostic impact on GCLM.

Patients and Methods

Review of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 19 consecutive patients submitted to surgical resection of GCLM with curative intent at our department. Major potential prognostic factors considered were patients’ gender, age, timing and extent of Hp, postoperative course, as well as histopathological characteristics of primary and secondary tumors.

Results

Major morbidity occurred in four patients, mortality in one. Median and 5-year overall survival were 17 months and 26.7%, respectively. Ten patients developed recurrent disease and two patients survived more than 10 years. Factors independently associated with overall survival were the absence of major morbidity, distal location of the primary tumor, and desmoplastic GP (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The selection of patients is crucial for the improvement of survival rates of GCLM. Consequently, we demonstrate for the first time that the desmoplastic GP of GCLM is associated with improved outcomes, prompting further research on tumor–host interactions.

Is there a role for treatment-oriented surgery in liver metastases from gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND

Distant metastases are found in approximately 35% of patients with gastric cancer at their first clinical observation, and of these, 4%-14% involves the liver. Unfortunately, only 0.4%-2.3% of patients with metastatic gastric cancer are eligible for radical surgery. Although surgical resection for gastric cancer metastases is still debated, there have been changes in recent years, although several clinical issues remain to be defined and that must be taken into account before surgery is proposed.

AIM

To analyze the clinicopathological factors related to primary gastric tumor and metastases that impact the survival of patients with liver metastatic gastric cancer.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2018 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The study protocol was based on identifying studies with clearly defined purpose, eligibility criteria, methodological analysis, and patient outcome.

RESULTS

We selected 47 studies pertaining to the purpose of the review, which involved a total of 2304 patients. Median survival was 7-52.3 mo, median disease-free survival was 4.7-18 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 33%-90.1%, 10%-60%, 6%-70.4%, and 0%-40.1%, respectively. Only five papers reported the 10-year OS, which was 5.5%–31.5%. The general recurrence rate was between 55.5% and 96%, and that for hepatic recurrence was between 15% and 94%.

CONCLUSION

Serous infiltration and lymph node involvement of the primary cancer indicate an unfavorable prognosis, while the presence of single metastasis or ≤ 3 metastases associated with a size of < 5 cm may be considered data that do not contraindicate liver resection.

Chinese consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastases

Background

The incidence of gastric cancer with liver metastases (GCLM) is 9.9-18.7%, with a median survival time of 11 months and a 5-year survival rate <20%. Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) is gradually gaining recognition as the most important method. However, specific treatment plans remain unclear. The aim of study was to provide a consensus to improve the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM.

Methods

We brought together experts from relevant medical fields across China, including the Chinese Research Hospital Association Digestive Tumor Committee, Chinese Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, Chinese Gastric Cancer Association, and the Gastrointestinal Surgical Group of Chinese Surgical Society Affiliated to Chinese Medical Association, to discuss and formulate this consensus.

Results

A consensus was reached on the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM. Moreover, we have developed a new clinical classification system, the Chinese Type for Gastric Cancer Liver Metastases, based on the likelihood of a surgical treatment being successful.

Conclusions

The MDT mode should be implemented throughout all treatment of GCLM.A Chinese version of this expert consensus has been published in the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery (Volume 39, Issue 10, p. 405-411). Written permission was obtained from the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery to disseminate the expert consensus in English.

Indication and Prognostic Significance of Conversion Surgery in Patients with Liver Metastasis from Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Chemotherapy is generally recommended as the first-line standard treatment in patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer. However, the clinical impact of surgical treatment remains unclear in responders after chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the tumor response and prognosis after chemotherapy and to assess the clinical indication of conversion surgery in responders.

METHODS

The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 44 patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer who were treated with chemotherapy between February 2002 and January 2019. These patients were classified into progressive disease (PD) and non-PD groups according to tumor response.

RESULTS

Among the 44 patients, 7 and 26 had peritoneal dissemination and ≥5 had metastatic liver nodules. Additionally, 15 and 29 patients had PD and non-PD, respectively. Surgical treatment was significantly correlated with tumor response (p < 0.0321). Prognostic differences between the PD and non-PD groups were significant (p < 0.0001). Moreover, gastrectomy and hepatectomy were significantly correlated with the number of liver metastases (≥5 vs. <5, respectively) in the non-PD group (p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0169, respectively). The 3-year survival rates among patients with non-PD undergoing both gastrectomy and hepatectomy (n = 6), gastrectomy alone (n = 7), and nonsurgical treatments (n = 16) were 100, 66.7, and 0%, respectively (p = 0.0026). Multivariate analysis identified peritoneal dissemination as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.0225).

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary results suggest that conversion surgery for gastric cancer with liver metastasis might be clinically indicated in chemotherapy responders with <5 metastatic liver nodules and without peritoneal dissemination.

Evaluating the utility of computed tomography of the chest for gastric cancer staging

Background

International guidelines recommend routine computed tomography (CT) of the chest for gastric cancer staging. In Asian countries, where the incidence of pulmonary metastases is less than 1%, some guidelines recommend chest CT only for gastroesophageal junction cancers. If the incidence of pulmonary metastases is also low in Canada, routine chest CT may not be beneficial.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients in northern Alberta with newly diagnosed gastric cancer from January 2010 to July 2016. The primary aim of the study was to determine the incidence of pulmonary metastases at the time of diagnosis in this population. A secondary aim was to identify potential predictors of pulmonary metastases. We reviewed CT reports for pulmonary metastases. Imaging data also included liver metastases, abdominal lymphadenopathy (> 1 cm), ascites and omental or peritoneal nodules. Other data recorded were age, sex, primary tumour location, histologic type and tumour grade.

Results

Four hundred and sixty-two patients (311 men, 151 women) were included in the analysis. Pulmonary metastases were identified in 25 patients (5.4%) overall and in 11 of 299 patients (3.7%) whose primary cancer was not in the cardia. On univariate analysis the presence of liver metastases (odds ratio [OR] 7.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.24–18.37, p < 0.001) and abdominal lymphadenopathy (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.29–8.48, p = 0.01) was associated with an increased risk of pulmonary metastases. Liver metastases retained statistical significance on multivariate analysis (OR 6.17, 95% CI 2.53–15.03, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The incidence of pulmonary metastases at the time of gastric cancer diagnosis is higher in northern Alberta than previously reported in Asian studies. Abdominal lymphadenopathy and liver metastases confer an elevated risk of pulmonary metastases.

Surgery Strategies for Gastric Cancer With Liver Metastasis

Gastric cancer with liver metastasis is defined as advanced gastric cancer and remains one of the deadliest diseases with poor prognosis. Approximately 4–14% of patients with gastric cancers presented with liver metastases at the initial diagnosis. Owing to its incurability, first-line treatment for gastric cancer with liver metastases is systematic chemotherapy, whereas surgery is usually performed to alleviate severe gastrointestinal symptoms. However, continuously emerging retrospective studies confirmed the role of surgery in gastric cancer with liver metastases and showed significantly improved survival rate in patients assigned to a group of surgery with or without chemotherapy. Therefore, more and more convincing data that resulted from prospective randomized clinical trials is in need to clarify the surgery strategies in patients with gastric cancer with liver metastasis.

Gastrectomy Alone or in Combination With Hepatic Resection in the Management of Liver Metastases From Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review Using an Updated and Cumulative Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that hepatectomy in patients with synchronous hepatic gastric metastases may improve survival in certain patients. This study aimed to evaluate survival benefits of gastrectomy plus hepatectomy versus gastrectomy alone in patients with hepatic gastric metastases.

METHODS

Studies were identified by a systematic search of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Traditional and cumulative meta-analyses were used to monitor the evidence over time.

RESULTS

Eleven studies which included 861 patients compared gastrectomy plus hepatic resection in 349 patients with gastrectomy alone in 512 patients. Overall significantly better survival rates of 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were demonstrated for patients who underwent gastrectomy plus hepatic resection compared to patients who under underwent gastrectomy alone ((hazard ratio (HR) = 0.52 (0.39, 0.69), P < 0.001), (HR = 0.85 (0.74, 0.97), P = 0.01), (HR = 0.80 (0.72, 0.90), P = 0.003), (HR = 0.83 (0.78, 0.90), P < 0.001), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Carefully selected patients with hepatic gastric metastases may benefit from hepatic resection.

Long-term survival with stable disease after multidisciplinary treatment for synchronous liver metastases from gastric cancer: A case report

INTRODUCTION

The liver is one of the most common sites of hematogenous metastases of gastric cancer. The 5-year overall survival rate of synchronous liver metastases from gastric cancer was less than 27%. We report a rare case of patient with synchronous liver metastases from gastric cancer who experienced stable disease for 7 years and 3 months following multidisciplinary modalities.

THE PRESENTATION OF A CASE

A 33-year-old woman was admitted to our institute because of abdominal pain lasting for a day. Haemoglobin level was 68 g/L. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed hemoperitoneum, multiple round lesions within liver parenchyma. The pathological diagnosis was gastric cancer with liver metastases. Following multidisciplinary treatment, she experienced stable disease for7 years and 3 months. Currently, the patient remains alive with no recurrence.

CONCLUSION

We report a rare case of patient with synchronous liver metastases from gastric cancer who experienced stable disease for 7 years and 3 months following multidisciplinary modalities. Future trials are required to prospectively investigate the established regimen of multidisciplinary treatment.

A Case of Complete Remission from Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma with Synchronous Liver Metastasis in Response to EOX Chemotherapy

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor with a high degree of malignancy. Multiple liver metastases from gastric cancer (LMGCs) are common. However, the treatment of LMGCs is very difficult. It is rare to achieve complete remission (CR) and long-term survival after treatment. We present the case of a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma and multiple liver metastases who showed CR for more than 33 months after perioperative EOX (epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine) combination chemotherapy with radical distal gastrectomy and resection of liver metastases. The patient is still in follow-up without tumor recurrence. These findings suggest that LMGC does not necessarily mean a poor prognosis; preoperative chemotherapy combined with surgery may be a good treatment option for LMGC in selected patients. Further studies are needed to support this treatment approach.

Long-term survival after liver metastasectomy in gastric cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors

BACKGROUND

Despite the amelioration of systemic therapy, overall survival (OS) of metastatic gastric cancer (GC) patients remains poor. Liver is a common metastatic site and retrospective series suggest a potential OS benefit from hepatectomy, with interesting 5-year (5 y) and 10-year (10 y) OS rates in selected patients. We aim to evaluate the impact of liver resection and related prognostic factors on long-term outcome in this setting.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, and Abstracts/posters from international meetings since 1990. Data were extracted from publish papers. Random effects models meta-analyses and meta-regression models were built to assess 5yOS and the impact of different prognostic factor. Heterogeneity was assessed using between study variance, I² and Cochran's Q. Funnel plot were used to assess small study bias.

RESULTS

Thirty-three observational studies (for a total of 1304 patients) were included. Our analysis demonstrates a 5yOS rate of 22% (95%CI: 18-26%) and 10yOS rate of 11% (95%CI: 7-18%) among patients undergoing radical hepatectomy. A favorable effect on OS was shown by several factors linked to primary cancer (lower T and N stage, no lympho-vascular or serosal invasion) and burden of hepatic disease (≤3 metastases, unilobar involvement, greatest lesion < 5 cm, negative resection margins). Moreover, lower CEA and CA19.9 levels and post-resection chemotherapy were associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection of liver metastases from GC seems associated with a significant chance of 5yOS and 10yOS and compares favourably with results of medical treatment alone. Prospective evaluation of this approach and validation of adequate selection criteria are needed.