Evaluation of hepatectomy and palliative local treatments for gastric cancer patients with liver metastases: a propensity score matching analysis

Prediction model of liver metastasis risk in patients with gastric cancer: A population-based study

Liver was the most common site of distant metastasis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). The prediction model of the risk of liver metastasis was rarely proposed. Therefore, we aimed to establish a prediction model for liver metastasis in patients with GC. In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted demographic and clinical data of all the GC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registration database from 2010 to 2015. Patients were divided into training set (n = 1691) for model development and testing set (n = 3943) for validation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out on the training set to screen potential predictors of liver metastasis and constructed a prediction model. The receiver operator characteristics curves with the area under curve values were used to assess the predictive performance of the liver metastasis prediction model. And a nomogram of the prediction model was also constructed. Of the total 5634 GC patients, 444 (7.88%) had liver metastasis. Variables including age, gender, N stage, T stage, Lauren classification, tumor size, histological type, and surgery were included in the liver metastasis prediction model. The study results indicated that the model had excellent discriminative ability with an area under curve of 0.851 (95% confidence interval: 0.829-0.873) in the training set, and that of 0.849 (95% confidence interval: 0.813-0.885) in the testing set. We have developed an effective prediction model with 8 easily acquired predictors of liver metastasis. The prediction model could predict the risk of liver metastasis in GC patients and performed well, which would assist clinicians to make individualized prediction of liver metastasis in GC patients and adjust treatment strategies in time to improve the prognosis.

Effect of multimodal chemotherapy on survival of gastric cancer with liver metastasis – a population based analysis

Objectives

Limited efforts have been made to evaluate the effect of multimodal chemotherapy on the survival of gastric cancer patients with liver metastases (LMGC). This study aimed to identify prognostic factors in LMGC patients and the superiority of multimodal chemotherapy with respect to overall survival (OS) in these patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1298 patients with M1 stage disease between January 2012 and December 2020. The effects of clinicopathological variables and preoperative chemotherapy (PECT), postoperative chemotherapy (POCT), and palliative chemotherapy on survival in patients with liver metastases (LM group) and non-liver metastases (non-LM group) were compared.

Results

Of the 1298 patients analysed, 546 (42.06%) were in the LM group and 752 (57.94%) were in the non-LM group. The median (interquartile range) age was 60 (51–66) years. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in the LM group were 29.3%, 13.9%, and 9.2%, respectively, and those in the non-LM group were. 38.2%, 17.4%, and 10.0%, respectively (P < 0.05, > 0.05, and > 0.05, respectively.) The Cox proportional hazards model revealed that palliative chemotherapy was a significant independent prognostic factor in both the LM and non-LM groups. Age ≥55 years, N stage, and Lauren classification were also independent predictors of OS in the LM group (P < 0.05). Palliative chemotherapy and POCT were associated with improved OS compared with PECT in the LM group (26.3% vs. 36.4% vs. 25.0%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

LMGC patients had a worse prognosis than non- LMGC. Number of metastatic sites more than 1, liver and other metastatic sites, no CT treatment and HER2-negative had a poor prognosis. LMGC patient may benefit more from palliative chemotherapy and POCT than from PECT. Further well-designed, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Survival Outcomes of Hepatectomy in Gastric Cancer Liver Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gastric cancer liver metastasis (GCLM) is a contraindication for surgical treatment in current guidelines. However, the results of recent studies are questioning this paradigm. We assessed survival outcomes and their predictors following hepatectomy for GCLM in a systematic review of studies published from 2000 to 2022 according to PRISMA guidelines. We identified 42,160 references in four databases. Of these, 55 articles providing data from 1990 patients fulfilled our criteria and were included. We performed a meta-analysis using random-effects models to assess overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at one, three, and five years post-surgery. We studied the impact of potential prognostic factors on survival outcomes via meta-regression. One, three, and five years after surgery, OS was 69.79%, 34.79%, and 24.68%, whereas DFS was 41.39%, 23.23%, and 20.18%, respectively. Metachronous presentation, well-to-moderate differentiation, small hepatic tumoral size, early nodal stage, R0 resection, unilobar compromisation, and solitary lesions were associated with higher overall survival. Metachronous presentation, smaller primary tumoral size, and solitary metastasis were linked to longer DFS. The results of our meta-analysis suggest that hepatectomy leads to favorable survival outcomes in patients with GCLM and provides data that might help select patients who will benefit most from surgical treatment.

Is hepatic resection justified for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection (HR) is effective for colorectal or neuroendocrine liver metastases. However, the role of HR for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases (NCNNLM) is unknown. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on long-term clinical outcomes after HR for NCNNLM.

METHODS

electronic search was performed to identify relevant publications using PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Primary outcomes were 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were post-operative morbidity and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 40 selected studies involving 5696 patients with NCNNLM undergone HR. Pooled data analyses showed that the 3- and 5-year OS were 40% (95% CI 0.35-0.46) and 32% (95% CI 0.29-0.36), whereas the 3- and 5-year DFS were 28% (95% CI 0.21-0.36) and 24% (95% CI 0.20-0.30), respectively. The postoperative morbidity rate was 28%, while the 30-day mortality was 2%. Subgroup analysis on HR for gastric cancer liver metastasis revealed the 3-year and 5-year OS of 39% and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HR for NCNNLM may achieve satisfactory survival outcome in selected patients with low morbidities and mortalities. However, more concrete evidence from prospective study is warrant in future.

Definition of oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer and impact of local oligometastasis-directed treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Local treatment (metastasectomy or stereotactic radiotherapy) for oligometastatic disease (OMD) in patients with esophagogastric cancer may improve overall survival (OS). The primary aim was to identify definitions of esophagogastric OMD. A secondary aim was to perform a meta-analysis of OS after local treatment versus systemic therapy alone for OMD.

METHODS

Studies and study protocols reporting on definitions or OS after local treatment for esophagogastric OMD were included. The primary outcome was the maximum number of organs/lesions considered OMD and the maximum number of lesions per organ (i.e. 'organ-specific' OMD burden). Agreement was considered to be either absent/poor (< 50%), fair (50%-75%), or consensus (≥ 75%). The secondary outcome was the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for OS after local treatment versus systemic therapy alone. The ROBINS tool was used for quality assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 97 studies, including 7 study protocols, and 2 prospective studies, were included. OMD was considered in 1 organ with ≤ 3 metastases (consensus). 'Organ-specific' OMD burden could involve bilobar ≤ 3 liver metastases, unilateral ≤ 2 lung metastases, 1 extra-regional lymph node station, ≤ 2 brain metastases, or bilateral adrenal gland metastases (consensus). Local treatment for OMD was associated with improved OS compared with systemic therapy alone based on 6 non-randomized studies (pooled aHR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30-0.74) and for liver oligometastases based on 5 non-randomized studies (pooled aHR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.59). All studies scored serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature considers esophagogastric cancer spread limited to 1 organ with ≤ 3 metastases or 1 extra-regional lymph node station to be OMD. Local treatment for OMD appeared associated with improved OS compared with systemic therapy alone. Prospective randomized trials are warranted.

Surgical treatment of gastric cancer liver metastases: Systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcomes and prognostic factors

The prognosis of patients with metastatic gastric cancer remains dismal, with palliative treatment as standard of care. However, encouraging results have been reported for surgical resection of liver only metastatic gastric cancer in carefully selected patients. A systematic review of articles published from 2000 onwards was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-nine studies were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis. Meta-analysis of proportions pointed out 29.1 % 5ySR (I 2 = 39 %). The pooled weighted median of MSTs was 31.1 months. T stage > 2, metastasis greatest dimension ≥ 5 cm, the presence of multiple metastases and bilobar disease resulted among the strongest predictors of mortality. Funnel plots, Egger's tests, and P-curve analyses failed to show significant publication bias. Based on strict selection criteria and robust statistical analyses, our results show that, in very carefully selected patients without extrahepatic disease, surgical resection with curative intent may significantly improve overall survival.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of liver metastases from extrahepatic primary cancers 2021

BACKGROUND

Hepatectomy is standard treatment for colorectal liver metastases; however, it is unclear whether liver metastases from other primary cancers should be resected or not. The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery therefore created clinical practice guidelines for the management of metastatic liver tumors.

METHODS

Eight primary diseases were selected based on the number of hepatectomies performed for each malignancy per year. Clinical questions were structured in the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) format. Systematic reviews were performed, and the strength of recommendations and the level of quality of evidence for each clinical question were discussed and determined. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess evidence and make recommendations.

RESULTS

The eight primary sites were grouped into five categories based on suggested indications for hepatectomy and consensus of the guidelines committee. Fourteen clinical questions were devised, covering five topics: (1) diagnosis, (2) operative treatment, (3) ablation therapy, (4) the eight primary diseases, and (5) systemic therapies. The grade of recommendation was strong for one clinical question and weak for the other 13 clinical questions. The quality of the evidence was moderate for two questions, low for 10, and very low for two. A flowchart was made to summarize the outcomes of the guidelines for the indications of hepatectomy and systemic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines were developed to provide useful information based on evidence in the published literature for the clinical management of liver metastases, and they could be helpful for conducting future clinical trials to provide higher-quality evidence.

Prognostic Factors After Hepatectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma Liver Metastases: Desmoplastic Growth Pattern as the Key to Improved Overall Survival

Purpose

Hepatectomy (Hp) is an alternative approach for the treatment of gastric carcinoma liver metastases (GCLM). However, prognostic factors that may assist patient selection are still controversial. Several pathologic features, such as the growth pattern (GP), associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer liver metastases, were never investigated in GCLM. Our principal aim was to assess if the GP has prognostic impact on GCLM.

Patients and Methods

Review of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 19 consecutive patients submitted to surgical resection of GCLM with curative intent at our department. Major potential prognostic factors considered were patients’ gender, age, timing and extent of Hp, postoperative course, as well as histopathological characteristics of primary and secondary tumors.

Results

Major morbidity occurred in four patients, mortality in one. Median and 5-year overall survival were 17 months and 26.7%, respectively. Ten patients developed recurrent disease and two patients survived more than 10 years. Factors independently associated with overall survival were the absence of major morbidity, distal location of the primary tumor, and desmoplastic GP (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The selection of patients is crucial for the improvement of survival rates of GCLM. Consequently, we demonstrate for the first time that the desmoplastic GP of GCLM is associated with improved outcomes, prompting further research on tumor–host interactions.

Prognostic factors and therapeutic effects of different treatment modalities for colorectal cancer liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China, and the liver is the most common metastatic site in patients with advanced CRC. Hepatectomy is the gold standard treatment for colorectal liver metastases. For patients who cannot undergo radical resection of liver metastases for various reasons, ablation therapy, interventional therapy, and systemic chemotherapy can be used to improve their quality of life and prolong their survival time.

AIM

To explore the prognostic factors and treatments of liver metastases of CRC.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with liver metastases from CRC treated at the Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute between January 2005 and March 2011. According to different treatments, the patients were divided into the following four groups: Surgical resection group (36 patients); ablation group (23 patients); intervention group (15 patients); and drug group (13 patients). The clinicopathological data and postoperative survival of the four groups were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The median survival time of the 87 patients was 38.747 ± 3.062 mo, and the 1- and 3-year survival rates were 87.5% and 53.1%, respectively. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that the following factors were independent factors affecting prognosis: The degree of tumor differentiation, the number of metastases, the size of metastases, and whether the metastases are close to great vessels. The results of treatment factor analysis showed that the effect of surgical treatment was better than that of drugs, intervention, or ablation alone, and the median survival time was 48.83 ± 4.36 mo. The drug group had the worst prognosis, with a median survival time of only 13.5 ± 0.7 mo (P < 0.05). For patients with liver metastases of CRC near the great vessels, the median survival time (27.3 mo) of patients undergoing surgical resection was better than that of patients using other treatments (20.6 mo) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with a low degree of primary tumor differentiation, multiple liver metastases (number of tumors > 4), and maximum diameter of liver metastases > 5 cm have a poor prognosis. Among drug therapy, intervention, ablation, and surgical treatment options, surgical treatment is the first choice for liver metastases. When liver metastases are close to great vessels, surgical treatment is significantly better than drug therapy, intervention, and ablation alone.

A novel application of drug-eluting transarterial chemoembolization in treating non-liver cancers

This case series aimed to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in patients with lung, renal, gastric, and other non-liver cancers.Twenty-four patients who underwent DEB-TACE or DEB-TACE combined with other therapies were reviewed in this case series. Treatment responses were assessed at 1 month after treatment according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Overall survival (OS) and adverse events were recorded.In the total patients, the objective response and disease control rate were 79.2% and 87.5%, respectively. And the mean OS in total patients was 14.7 months (95% confidence interval: 9.6-19.9 months). The number of patients who had generalized aches, nausea, vomit, fever, abdominal discomfort, chest discomfort, elevated blood pressure, cough, loss of appetite, and headache in total patients were 7 (29.2%), 11 (45.8%), 6 (25.0%), 2 (8.3%), 3 (12.5%), 3 (12.5%), 1 (4.2%), 1 (4.2%), 1 (4.2%), and 1 (4.2%), respectively. The objective response rates in patients with lung, renal, gastric, and other non-liver cancer were 70.0%, 85.7%, 100.0%, and 80.0%, respectively. In patients with lung, renal, gastric, and other non-liver cancers, the mean values of the OSs were 13.4 months, 12.4 months, 7.6 months, and 20.3 months, respectively. And the most common adverse events in lung cancer patients, renal carcinoma patients, gastric cancer patients, and patients with other non-liver cancers were post-embolization syndrome.DEB-TACE may be an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with lung, renal, gastric, and other non-liver cancers.

Is there a role for treatment-oriented surgery in liver metastases from gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND

Distant metastases are found in approximately 35% of patients with gastric cancer at their first clinical observation, and of these, 4%-14% involves the liver. Unfortunately, only 0.4%-2.3% of patients with metastatic gastric cancer are eligible for radical surgery. Although surgical resection for gastric cancer metastases is still debated, there have been changes in recent years, although several clinical issues remain to be defined and that must be taken into account before surgery is proposed.

AIM

To analyze the clinicopathological factors related to primary gastric tumor and metastases that impact the survival of patients with liver metastatic gastric cancer.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2018 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The study protocol was based on identifying studies with clearly defined purpose, eligibility criteria, methodological analysis, and patient outcome.

RESULTS

We selected 47 studies pertaining to the purpose of the review, which involved a total of 2304 patients. Median survival was 7-52.3 mo, median disease-free survival was 4.7-18 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 33%-90.1%, 10%-60%, 6%-70.4%, and 0%-40.1%, respectively. Only five papers reported the 10-year OS, which was 5.5%–31.5%. The general recurrence rate was between 55.5% and 96%, and that for hepatic recurrence was between 15% and 94%.

CONCLUSION

Serous infiltration and lymph node involvement of the primary cancer indicate an unfavorable prognosis, while the presence of single metastasis or ≤ 3 metastases associated with a size of < 5 cm may be considered data that do not contraindicate liver resection.

Chinese consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastases

Background

The incidence of gastric cancer with liver metastases (GCLM) is 9.9-18.7%, with a median survival time of 11 months and a 5-year survival rate <20%. Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) is gradually gaining recognition as the most important method. However, specific treatment plans remain unclear. The aim of study was to provide a consensus to improve the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM.

Methods

We brought together experts from relevant medical fields across China, including the Chinese Research Hospital Association Digestive Tumor Committee, Chinese Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, Chinese Gastric Cancer Association, and the Gastrointestinal Surgical Group of Chinese Surgical Society Affiliated to Chinese Medical Association, to discuss and formulate this consensus.

Results

A consensus was reached on the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM. Moreover, we have developed a new clinical classification system, the Chinese Type for Gastric Cancer Liver Metastases, based on the likelihood of a surgical treatment being successful.

Conclusions

The MDT mode should be implemented throughout all treatment of GCLM.A Chinese version of this expert consensus has been published in the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery (Volume 39, Issue 10, p. 405-411). Written permission was obtained from the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery to disseminate the expert consensus in English.

Influence of thermal ablation of hepatic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma on long-term survival: Systematic review and pooled analysis

The objectives of this systematic review and pooled analysis were to examine long-term survival, morbidity, and mortality following thermal ablation of gastric cancer hepatic metastases and to identify prognostic factors that improve survival.Patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer are traditionally treated with palliative chemotherapy. Surgical resection is an alternative treatment of hepatic metastases. Whether patients can obtain benefit from thermal ablation of hepatic metastases is still controversial.A systematic literature search was undertaken (1990-2018). Publications were included if they studied more than 7 patients undergoing thermal ablation for hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer in the absence of peritoneal disease or other distant organ involvement. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival. Comparison between thermal ablation and systematic chemotherapy or hepatic resection had been carried out. The influence of liver metastasis-related factors, such as <3 cm versus >3 cm, single versus multiple and metachronous versus synchronous upon survival was also assessed.The median survival of thermal ablation for the 12 studies included was 22.93[20.45-25.41] months. Procedures were associated with a median 30-day morbidity of 6% (0%-23%) and with no mortality. The median 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival were 79.14%, 39.79%, 28.45%, and 19.46%, respectively. Thermal ablation of hepatic metastasis was associated with improved overall survival compared with systematic chemotherapy (HR = 2.12; 95% CI 0.77-3.47; P=.000). Meta-analysis confirmed the additional survival benefit of size <3 cm (HR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.03-1.88; P = .002) and receiving chemotherapy after thermal ablation (HR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.05-3.23; P = .000).A use of RFA/ microwave ablation (MWA) as a liver-directed treatment may provide greater survival benefit than chemotherapy and is an alternative option for the treatment of liver-only metastases from gastric cancer. With the appropriate selection of patients, such as tumors <3 cm in diameter, thermal ablation may provide better prognosis than hepatic resection of hepatic metastasis with lower morbidity and mortality. Postoperation chemotherapy should be provided to patients with GLM who received thermal ablation.