OBJECTIVETo assess the indication and efficacy of surgical treatment for patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 43 patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer undergoing surgery from September 1995 to May 2002 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSNo relationships were found between the number of hepatic metastases and patient's gender, age, tumor invasion depth, lymphatic node metastases and differentiation P> 0.05. All of 43 patients underwent surgery. Four cases undergoing hepatic resection for metachronous hepatic metastases had a higher survival rate than those who had curative resections for synchronous hepatic metastases (median survival 35 months vs. 10 months) (P=0.0233). 39 patients had synchronous hepatic metastases, of whom 32 patients received gastric resection only and 7 patients received both gastric and hepatic resections, there was significant difference of median survival between synchronous group and metachronous group(median survival 6.0 vs. median survival 10.0 months)(P=0.2799). There was significant difference of the postoperative survival rate among H (1) (7.5 months), H (2) (6 months) and H (3) (4 months) in the patients with palliative gastric resections (P=0.0007).

CONCLUSIONHepatic resection for metachronous hepatic metastases from gastric cancer has a better prognosis. Resections of gastric and hepatic lesions at the same time may not benefit the patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer. H(3) is not feasible for palliative gastric resections.