Objective: To assess the value of gastric and hepatic surgical treatment in gastric cancer patients with liver metastasis and its prognostic implication.
Methods: Literature search was performed in pubmed, Embase, Ovid, Springer-Link, Web of Science, CNKI, CBMdisc for clinical research published before March 2013 that compared gastrectomy alone to gastrectomy and hepatectomy. Inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were performed. Quality assessment was based on NOS scale. Stata12.0 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Nine studies including 431 patients were enrolled for analysis, among whom 189 underwent gastrectomy and hepatectomy and 242 underwent gastrectomy alone. Gastrectomy and hepatectomy group had better survival(HR=0.50, 95%CI:0.34-0.72, z=3.66, P=0.000). There was a subgroup analysis. Gastrectomy with hepatectomy group had significant advantages in prognosis in four foreign studies(HR=0.28, 95%CI:0.18-0.44, z=5.77, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in five domestic studies (HR=0.74, 95%CI:0.55-1.00, z=1.95, P=0.051).
Conclusion: Gastrectomy and hepatectomy in gastric cancer patients with liver metastasis improves long-term survival in select patients.