Background: In comparison with most other malignancies, in the treatment of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors one also has to consider endocrine symptoms and natural progression of disease. Since hepatic metastasis predominates and endocrine symptoms correlate with functional tumor mass, hepatic resection may improve prognosis or even cure patients.
Patients and methods: We reviewed 41 consecutive patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and four patients with primary hepatic disease presenting between 1989 and 1999. The neuroendocrine tumors were classified according to their origin, pattern of metastasis, endocrine activity, and histology. Operative therapy including hepatic resections of different extent, liver transplantation, and removal of the primary tumor was analyzed. The median survival after initial diagnosis and after hepatic resection were major parameters of outcome.
Results: There were 26 low-grade malignant, 12 high-grade malignant, 2 biphasically differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 5 pancreatic endocrine tumors. Hepatic resections were performed in 25 patients, resections of the primary tumor in 40 patients. The median survival after initial diagnosis was 49 months; 50.5 months in patients with hepatic resection versus 47 months in those with no liver surgery.
Conclusion: Hepatic resection improved the outcome of patients with liver metastasis due to neuroendocrine tumors tendentiously but not significantly.