Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the indication,methods,safety and efficacy of hepatic resection for metastatic carcinoma of the liver. Methods Sixty-nine consecutive hepatic resections in 67 patients with secondary carcinoma of the liver were reviewed. Results One case died and operative mortality rate was 1.5 %.Median follow-up was 5 years, ranging from 1 to 7 years. The 1、3、5-year survival rates for all patients were 28.36%、 19.40% 、and 11.94% respectively. The survival rate of over 5-years in the hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal carcinoma was 21.43%. Conclusions Surgical resection of metastatic disease to liver is not only safe but also curative. We recommend that for any patient with metastatic carcinoma of the liver, an anatomic distribution of tumors to preserve hepatic function after resection and fitness to withstand the procedure should be considered for resection.