Hepatectomy for metastases from breast cancer offers the survival benefit similar to that in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

Background/Aims: There have been no reports comparing surgical results of h epatectomy for metastases between breast cancer origin and colorectal cance r origin. The aim of the present study was to compare the both and to clari fy the survival benefit brought by hepatectomy for metastases from breast c ancer. Methodology: Between 1990 and 1999, 6 patients with hepatic metastases from breast cancer and 94 patients with those from colorectal cancer underwent hepatectomy with curative intent. All patients in the breast-cancer-origin group received adjuvant chemotherapy following hepatectomy, however, fewer patients (55% of the 94 patients) did in the colorectal-cancer-origin group (P=0.034). Results: Morbidity and mortality rates after hepatectomy in patients with h epatic metastases from breast cancer were 0% and 0%, respectively, and thos e in patients with metastases from colorectal cancer were 12% and 1%, respe ctively. Postoperative survival curves in the both groups were similar. Thr ee- and five-year survival rates in the breast-cancer-origin group were 60% and 40%, respectively, and those in the colorectal-cancer-origin group wer e 54% and 42%, respectively. Conclusions: When appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy is performed, hepatecto my for metastases from breast cancer offers the survival benefit similar to that in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.