Role of resection in the management of metastases to the liver.

The results of 22 hepatic resections for metastatic disease are reviewed. There were no operative deaths and survival was encouraging. Life-table analysis of all 22 patients predicted a 5-year survival of 56.4%, and if 16 patients who had primary colorectal tumours are considered separately, the expected 42-month survival was 42.2%. Patients with a single metastasis generally lived longer, and there was no difference in survival between hepatic metastases resected synchronously or metachronously. The authors recommend an aggressive approach to the treatment of hepatic metastases.