Hepatic cytoreduction for lung and renal neuroendocrine tumor metastases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hepatic metastases from lung and renal neuroendocrine tumors are rare. Outcome data on treatment of hepatic metastases for these types of tumors are lacking. We report the outcomes of hepatic cytoreduction operations for these tumors.

METHODS: Records of patients undergoing hepatic cytoreduction operations of at least 70 ​% of the hepatic tumors for well differentiated lung and renal neuroendocrine tumors were reviewed. Data collected included primary tumor type, number and size of metastases resected, tumor grade, percentage of hepatic cytoreduction, presence of extra-hepatic disease, and status at last follow up.

RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were identified. Ninety percent had extrahepatic metastases. Median-time to liver progression was 66 months. The five-year survival rate was 65 ​%. Liver failure was the predominant cause of death. No prognostic factors for survival could be identified among the variables collected.

CONCLUSION: Hepatic cytoreduction operations for lung and renal neuroendocrine tumors do not yield as good of survival rates as observed with small bowel and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, but are considerably better than those obtained with complete resection of colorectal metastases.