Current status of minimally invasive liver surgery for cancers

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have chronic liver disease with functional deterioration and multicentric oncogenicity. Liver surgeries for the patients should be planned on both oncological effects and sparing liver function. In colorectal patients with post-chemotherapy liver injury and multiple bilateral tumors, handling multiple tumors in a fragile/easy-to-bleed liver is an important issue. Liver surgery for biliary tract cancers is often performed as a resection of large-volume functioning liver with extensive lymphadenectomy and bile duct resection/reconstruction. Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) for HCC is applied with the advantages of laparoscopic for cases of cirrhosis or repeat resections. Small anatomical resections using the Glissonian, indocyanine green-guided, and hepatic vein-guided approaches are under discussion. In many cases of colorectal liver metastases, MILS is applied combined with chemotherapy owing to its advantage of better hemostasis. Two-stage hepatectomy and indocyanine green-guided tumor identification for multiple bilateral tumors are under discussion. In the case of biliary tract cancers, MILS with extensive lymphadenectomy and bile duct resection/reconstruction are developing. A robot-assisted procedure for dissection of major vessels and handling fragile livers may have advantages, and well-simulated robot-assisted procedure may decrease the difficulty for biliary tract cancers.     

Simultaneous colorectal and parenchymal-sparing liver resection for advanced colorectal carcinoma with synchronous liver metastases: Between conventional and mini-invasive approaches

The optimal timing of surgery in case of synchronous presentation of colorectal cancer and liver metastases is still under debate. Staged approach, with initial colorectal resection followed by liver resection (LR), or even the reverse, liver-first approach in specific situations, is traditionally preferred. Simultaneous resections, however, represent an appealing strategy, because may have perioperative risks comparable to staged resections in appropriately selected patients, while avoiding a second surgical procedure. In patients with larger or multiple synchronous presentation of colorectal cancer and liver metastases, simultaneous major hepatectomies may determine worse perioperative outcomes, so that parenchymal-sparing LR should represent the most appropriate option whenever feasible. Mini-invasive colorectal surgery has experienced rapid spread in the last decades, while laparoscopic LR has progressed much slower, and is usually reserved for limited tumours in favourable locations. Moreover, mini-invasive parenchymal-sparing LR is more complex, especially for larger or multiple tumours in difficult locations. It remains to be established if simultaneous resections are presently feasible with mini-invasive approaches or if we need further technological advances and surgical expertise, at least for more complex procedures. This review aims to critically analyze the current status and future perspectives of simultaneous resections, and the present role of the available mini-invasive techniques.     

Surgical treatment of synchronous colorectal liver and lung metastases：the usefulness of thoracophrenolaparotomy for single stage resection

When suitable, surgery still remains the therapeu-tic option to be preferred for patients carrier of colorectal liver and lung metastases. Since thoracophrenolaparotomy should be helpful during liver resection for some of these patients, si-multaneous removal of right lung metastases can be proposed through this approach. Eleven consecutive patients (median age of 53 years) carrier of colorectal liver and lung metastases, underwent single session surgical resection of both liver and right lung lesions by means of J-shaped thoracophrenolapa-rotomy. The median number of liver metastases removed was 5 (range 2-30) and of lung metastases removed was 2 (range 1-3). Lung metastases were located in the upper lobe in 1 pa-tient, in the middle lobe in 2, in the lower lobe in 6, and in the upper and lower lobe in 2. Mortality and major morbidity were nil. Two patients had a minor morbidity: one had wound infection and bile leakage treated conservatively and the other had transient fever. Mean overall survival was 24.4 months. An aggressive surgical approach should be undertaken for colorectal metastases: in case of multifocal liver disease with complex presentations, J-shaped thoracophrenolaparotomy could be considered as safe approach for combined liver and right lung metastasectomies.     

Liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in older patients

INTRODUCTION: Seventy-six percentages of patients with a newly diagnosed colorectal carcinoma are between 65 and 85 years old. A substantial proportion will develop liver metastases, for which resection is the only potential curative treatment. This study was conducted to investigate both the feasibility, and short- and long-term outcomes of liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in elderly patients. METHODS: Between August 1990 and April 2007 data were prospectively collected on patients over 70 years of age who underwent a liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in a single centre. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one liver resections were performed in 178 consecutive patients (median age 74 years). Thirty-four patients (18.8%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (all FOLFOX) prior to liver surgery and the majority (57.5%) of liver resections involved more than two Couinaud's segments. Median hospital stay was 13 days, 70 (38.5%) patients had postoperative complications, and overall in hospital mortality was 4.9% (9 patients). Overall- and disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 86.1%, 43.2% and 31.5% and 65.8%, 26% and 16%, respectively. In multivariate analysis: T3 primary staging; major liver resections; more than three liver lesions; and the occurrence of postoperative complications were associated with inferior overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in elderly patients is safe and may offer long-time survival to a substantial percentage of patients. We strongly recommend considering senior patients for surgical treatment whenever possible.     

Simultaneous versus staged liver resection of synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Background and aims The surgical strategy for treatment of synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer remains controversial. This retrospective analysis was conducted to compare the postoperative outcome and survival of patients receiving simultaneous resection of liver metastases and primary colorectal cancer to those receiving staged resection. Materials and methods Between January 1988 and September 2005, 219 patients underwent liver resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastases, of whom, 40 patients received simultaneous resection of liver metastases and primary colorectal cancer, and 179 patients staged resections. Patients were identified from a prospective database, and records were retrospectively reviewed. Patient, tumor, and operative parameters were analyzed for their influence on postoperative morbidity and mortality as well as on long-term survival. Results Simultaneous liver resections tend to be performed for colon primaries rather than for rectal cancer (p = 0.004) and used less extensive liver resections (p < 0.001). The postoperative morbidity was comparable between both groups, whereas the mortality was significantly higher in patients with simultaneous liver resection (p = 0.012). The mortality after simultaneous liver resection (n = 4) occurred after major hepatectomies, and three of these four patients were 70 years of age or older. There was no significant difference in long-term survival after formally curative simultaneous and staged liver resection. Conclusion Simultaneous liver and colorectal resection is as efficient as staged resections in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. To perform simultaneous resections safely a careful patient selection is necessary. The most important criteria to select patients for simultaneous liver resection are age of the patient and extent of liver resection.     

Repeat hepatectomy for colorectal metastases

The utility of repeat hepatectomy for patients with colorectal metastases to the liver was sought. A complete review of the results of surgical treatment of patients having a repeat hepatectomy was presented. Then, the data on 170 patients in whom multiple clinical variables had been tabulated were selected for special study. These statistical analyses showed that there were no special clinical features present at the time of primary resection of the large bowel cancer that could distinguish these patients. There were some differences in the clinical features of these patients at the time of first and second liver resections. The disease-free interval, method of diagnosis, presence of extrahepatic disease, incidence of complete resection, and postoperative morbidity showed significant differences. The 5-year survival of the group as a whole was 32%. Only those clinical features which involved the completeness of cancer resection had a significant impact on survival. To optimize selection for a long-term survival, no extrahepatic disease should be present and the second hepatectomy should involve removal of all visible tumor. Repeat hepatectomy for colorectal metastases was thought to be justified if the patient was made clinically disease-free, because surgery remains the only potentially curative treatment. The repeat hepatectomy was relatively safe with a low morbidity and conferred a 32% long-term survival.     

Treatment outcomes of hepatic and pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma

Background and Aim:  The resection of synchronous or metachronous pulmonary and liver metastasis is an aggressive treatment option for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and has been shown to yield acceptable long-term survival. We reviewed our experience with colorectal cancer patients with both liver and lung resections to determine the efficacy of surgical resections.
Methods:  We performed a single institution, retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgical hepatic and pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer between 1995 and 2004.
Results:  A total of 32 patients underwent resection of both hepatic and pulmonary metastases secondary to colorectal cancer. The 5-year overall survival from initial operation was 60.8%. The disease-free interval was 44.3 months (95% confidence interval: 24.7 and 63.8, respectively). Neither the number of pulmonary lesions nor the time interval between the primary surgery and the metastasectomy had a significant impact on survival ( P  = 0.134).
Conclusion:  An aggressive surgical treatment of selected colorectal cancer patients with lung and liver metastases resulted in prolonged survival. The 5-year survival rate of 60.8% with no perioperative mortality was observed in our study.     

Simultaneous laparoscopic resection of primary colorectal cancer and associated liver metastases: a systematic review

As many as 25 % of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have liver metastases at presentation. However, the optimal strategy for resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis remains controversial. Despite the increasing use of laparoscopy in colorectal and liver resections, combined laparoscopic resection of the primary CRC and synchronous liver metastasis is rarely performed. The potential benefits of this approach are the possibility to perform a radical operation with small incisions, earlier recovery, and reduction in costs. The aim of this study was to review the literature on feasibility and short-term results of simultaneous laparoscopic resection. We conducted a systematic search of all articles published until February 2013. Search terms included: hepatectomy [Mesh], “liver resection,” laparoscopy [Mesh], hand-assisted laparoscopy [Mesh], surgical procedures, minimally invasive [Mesh], colectomy [Mesh], colorectal neoplasms [Mesh], and “colorectal resections.” No randomized trials are available. All data have been reported as case reports, case series, or case–control studies. Thirty-nine minimally invasive simultaneous resections were identified in 14 different articles. There were 9 (23 %) major hepatic resections. The most performed liver resection was left lateral sectionectomy in 26 (67 %) patients. Colorectal resections included low rectal resections with total mesorectal excision, right and left hemicolectomies, and anterior resections. Despite the lack of high-quality evidence, the laparoscopic combined procedure appeared to be feasible and safe, even with major hepatectomies. Good patient selection and refined surgical technique are the keys to successful simultaneous resection. Simultaneous left lateral sectionectomy associated with colorectal resection should be routinely proposed.     

Laparoscopic-assisted one-stage resection of rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastasis utilizing a pfannenstiel incision

Laparoscopic approaches have been increasingly used in selected patients with either colorectal or liver cancer. However, simultaneous resection of colorectal carcinoma with synchronous liver metastases is still a subject of debate. The present case describes combined laparoscopic rectal and liver resections for a patient with primary rectal cancer and a synchronous liver metastasis utilizing a Pfannenstiel incision for specimen extraction. The operative time was 370 min and estimated blood loss was 400 mL. Postoperatively, the patient required parenteral analgesia for 48 h, resumed normal diet on day 3 and was discharged on day 7 after the operation. A laparoscopic approach utilizing a Pfannenstiel extraction incision may present an advantageous and attractive option for simultaneous laparoscopic rectal and liver resection in selected patients with the aim of improving short-term outcomes.     

Current role for resection of thoracic metastases in children and young adults--do we need different strategies for this population?

A retrospective review of surgical interventions for pulmonary metastases found 44 surgical metastasectomies in patients 20 years old or younger. OBJECTIVE: Indications for pulmonary metastasectomy are well established in adults, but are not so clear when we are dealing with a younger population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of surgical interventions for pulmonary metastases (from December 1996 to October 2001) found 44 surgical metastasectomies in patients considered pediatric or young adults (20 years old or younger). Initial primary tumor, disease-free interval (DFI), previous thoracotomies, tumor histology, number of metastases, surgery performed, postoperative complications, other treatments received, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Median age was 16.3 years (range 5 to 20 years) with 27 male and 17 female patients. Primary tumors were sarcoma (n = 31), Ewing's tumor (n = 8), Wilms' tumor (n = 3), and testicular carcinoma (n = 2). 27 patients had undergone previous resection of pulmonary metastases. Approaches were posterolateral thoracotomy (n = 18), clamshell incision (n = 8), VATS (n = 7), axillary thoracotomy (n = 9), and others (n = 2). Wedge resections were the procedure of choice (n = 35). In very select cases 1 pneumonectomy, 3 lobectomies, 2 chest wall resections, and 1 spinal surgery (vertebrectomy) were performed. Intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) was employed in 2 patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass was necessary in 1 patient in order to resect an intra-atrial tumor thrombus. There was no operative mortality. Morbidity was related to prolonged air leaks (3 patients), hemothorax (2 patients), cerebrospinal fluid leak (1 patient), atelectasia (1 patient), peritoneal pain (1 patient), and postoperative fever syndrome (1 patient). Patterns of failure were thoracic (lung-pleura-chest wall) (n = 20), distant (n = 3) and thoracic + distant (n = 6). CONCLUSION: A close collaboration between oncologists, radiotherapists, and surgeons is mandatory in order to obtain good results. IORT is an interesting option. Better results are obtained if there is a long DFI and probably justifies a more aggressive approach in these specific cases.     

Complete remission of disease for 5 years following initial and repeat resection of the liver for the removal of 22 metastases of colorectal origin

Although liver resection is accepted as the only available treatment that regularly produces long-term survival with possible cure in patients with colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver, controversy appears to exist regarding the surgical indication for patients with more than four nodules. Similarly, it may be arguable to perform a repeated hepatic resection for a patient who developed multiple recurrent liver metastases with a short disease-free period after the initial liver resection. During the last 7 years, we have adopted constantly the aggressive surgical approach to patients with colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver if the number of tumor nodules identified preoperatively were less than ten and irrespective of the length of disease-free period after the previous resection. Here we report on a patient who underwent hepatic resection twice at an interval of 3 months and in whom a total of 22 metastatic nodules (6 in the initial hepatic resection and 22 in the repeated resection) were removed. The patient is now alive and remains disease-free, 5 years after the first liver resection.     

Laparoscopic major hepatectomy can be safely performed with colorectal surgery for synchronous colorectal liver metastasis

Background

The optimal strategy for resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastases remains controversial. Although some authors advocate a staged treatment, an increasing number of studies have reported that combined colorectal and liver resection is safe. Laparoscopic combined resection in primary colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases has been reported but there are no specific data for major liver resections. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of a simultaneous entirely laparoscopic procedure, in the light of the benefits of laparoscopy in both colon and liver surgery, and discussed the benefits of this strategy.

Methods

Two cases are presented of totally laparoscopic major liver resections associated with laparoscopic colorectal resections for synchronous liver metastases with the emphasis on the technical aspects. Duration of surgery, blood loss and post-operative outcome were evaluated.

Results

Laparoscopic right hepatectomy or left hepatectomy with simultaneous colon resection for liver metastasis was feasible and safe with only one suprapubic 5-mm trocar added to the usual trocar sites. The mean duration of surgery was 327 min with a mean estimated blood loss of 200 ml. The post-operative course was uneventful.

Discussion

In selected patients, laparoscopic major hepatectomies for unilobular synchronous metastases can be safely performed simultaneously with colorectal surgery.     

Long-term outcome after sequential resections of liver and lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma

Background:

Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is an established form of treatment. Limited data exists on the value of sequential hepatic and pulmonary metastasectomy. We analysed patients who underwent sequential liver and lung resections for CLM.

Methods:

A total of 910 patients who underwent liver resection for CLM between January 2000 and December 2007, were analysed to identify patients with resectable pulmonary metastases (n= 43; 4.7%). Patient demographics, overall survival and survival difference between synchronous and metachronous pulmonary metastasectomy groups were compared. In addition, outcomes in the ‘liver and lung resection’ group were compared with a matched group of ‘liver resection only’ patients (matched for age, primary disease stage, interval to liver resection and liver disease stage).

Results:

Forty-three patients (median age 62, range 43–83 years, 22 males) underwent sequential liver and lung resection. A total of 36 patients underwent major hepatic resections, 18 patients had bilobar disease and the median number of liver lesions resected was 3 (range 1–5 lesions). Ten patients had synchronous liver and lung metastases. The median interval between liver and lung metastasectomy was 25 months (range 2–88 months). A total of two patients underwent major lobectomies, three patients had bilateral disease and the median number of lung lesions resected was one (range 1–3). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates after first metastasectomy were 100%, 87.1% and 53.9%, respectively, with a median survival of 42 months.

Patients:

Undergoing metachronous pulmonary metastasectomy had better 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates than those with synchronous disease (100%, 88.9% and 60.9% vs. 100%, 75% and 0%, respectively; P= 0.02, log rank test). There was no significant survival difference between the ‘liver and lung resection’ and the ‘liver resection only’ groups.

Conclusion:

Sequential liver and lung resection for CLM is associated with good long-term survival in selected patients, except in those presenting with synchronous lung and liver metastases.     

Isolated resection of the caudate lobe: indications, technique and results

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This paper reports a series of 24 isolated caudate lobe resections (ICLR), performed for 13 benign tumors (10 hemangiomas, 2 focal nodular hyperplasias, 1 adenoma) and 11 malignant tumors (3 hepatocarcinomas, 1 peripheral cholangiocarcinoma and 7 metastatic - 5 colorectal carcinomas, 1 breast carcinoma, 1 adrenal carcinoma). Klatskin tumors were excluded. METHODOLOGY: There were 10 hemangioma enucleations, 7 Spiegel lobe resections and 7 high dorsal resections. Total vascular exclusion was performed in 7 cases. Vascular resection with reconstruction was necessary in 5 cases. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 7 cases (3 bile leaks, 3 abdominal fluid collections and one liver failure leading to death). From the 10 patients with malignant tumors who survived the operation, 7 developed recurrences: 2 intrahepatic, 1 retroperitoneal, 4 systemic. Five patients are alive (3 without recurrence). One patient died of multiple complications after a repeat hepatectomy and colectomy. Three patients died from generalized disease. Another patient, with generalized disease, was lost from follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ICLR is a difficult operation, especially with malignant tumors. Total vascular exclusion of the liver is routinely recommended in high dorsal resection. Malignant tumors located in the caudate lobe have a poor prognosis; local and, especially, distant metastases are frequent. Aggressive chemotherapy and follow-up are recommended.     

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma

From 1962 to 1982, 27 patients with pulmonary metastases as the only site of recurrent colorectal carcinoma underwent pulmonary resection at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. Only five of these patients had symptomatic pulmonary lesions. No postoperative mortality occurred. The median survival after pulmonary resection was 27 months. Five patients are alive presently without recurrent colorectal cancer and two patients are alive with recurrent pulmonary metastases. Patients with solitary lesions had a better survival than patients with multiple lesions. The major sites of recurrence following thoracotomy were the lungs and liver. Junior Faculty American Cancer Society. Aided by grant JFCF 773 from the American Cancer Society.     

Postoperative complications of repeat hepatectomy for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When a repeat hepatectomy is possible, it is the most effective treatment modality for recurrent colorectal liver metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical risks of repeat hepatectomy for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: Between 1986 and 1996, 60 patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma underwent surgery in the Department of Surgery I, Oita Medical University. Ten of them underwent a repeat hepatectomy. The cases of these 10 patients were studied retrospectively; in particular, postoperative complications and intraoperative blood loss were compared between the initial and second operation. RESULTS: During the second surgery, recurrence was detected adjacent to the hepatic stump in 9 of the 10 patients. During the initial surgery, 6 underwent non-anatomic resections, and 4 had anatomic resection, including 1 extended lobectomy, 1 lobectomy, and 2 segmentectomies. For the second surgery, 3 had anatomic resections, including 2 lobectomies, and 1 segmentectomy, and 7 underwent non-anatomic resections. There were no mortalities during the initial or second operation. There was no morbidity following the initial surgeries and 7 postoperative complications (intraabdominal abscess, 4 cases; biloma, 3 cases) following the second surgeries. Mean blood loss during the second operation (1044 mL) was significantly greater than during the initial operation (561 mL). CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that repeat hepatectomy for recurrent liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma resulted in significantly greater intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications than those of the initial surgeries. The blood loss and complications in the second operation, the one for the recurrence, were directly associated with the fact that the recurrence was so close to the hepatic stump. Since the resection line in the second surgery was adjacent to the hepatic hilus, resection of the lesion caused much more injury to the main bile duct and main portal vein than that caused by the.     

Factors affecting the prognosis of anatomical liver resection for liver metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver resection has improved the survival of colorectal cancer patients with metastases. However, there are groups at high risk of recurrence after liver resection. This report reviews our results using anatomical liver resection and analyzes the prognostic factors. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed 78 patients who underwent anatomical liver resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer between June 1988 and March 2002. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients had synchronous metastases, and 49 had metachronous. The 5-year overall survival rate was 43%. Patients with more than three metastatic tumors had a significantly poorer 5-year recurrence-free survival rate. There was no statistical difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between patients with metachronous metastases (41%) and those with synchronous (44%) metastases. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly poorer for patients with an interval of 1 year or less between colorectal and liver resections than for patients with a longer interval. Recurrence after liver resection occurred in 38 patients (49%). The recurrences occurred in the lung in 18 patients, in remnant liver in 15 patients, in lymph nodes in 7 patients, and in other organs in 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that anatomical liver resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer improves survival. Liver metastases that occur within 1 year of colorectal resection may need an interval of observation before liver resection.     

Surgical treatment for extrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recurrence of the remnant liver or extrahepatic sites after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases is concerned as a significant prognostic factor. While regional chemotherapy may reduce recurrence of the liver, appropriate therapy for extrahepatic metastases needs to be elucidated. METHODOLOGY: We identified 207 patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases. Patient characteristics, clinicopathological features, sites of extrahepatic recurrence, and outcome are examined. RESULTS: Recurrence of the lung, brain, bone, and other site after hepatic resection was seen in 49, 8, 8, and 12 cases, respectively. Fourteen patients underwent pulmonary resection, and three patients are alive and disease-free survival was 35, 79, and 128 months after the second resection. Overall 2- and 5-year survival was 64 and 18%. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that time and number of pulmonary metastases, and serum CEA levels are independent prognostic factors. Surgical resection for brain metastasis was only in one case who survived for 31 months. Other treatment such as gamma-knife may not improve outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Both hepatic and pulmonary resection for colorectal metastases could prolong survival in selected patients. Surgical indication for other extrahepatic metastases must be strictly selected, although resection of brain metastasis might lead to better outcome.     

Resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the indications for and value of liver resection for metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: From 1978 through 1991, 66 patients were operated on for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. All patients had had a curative resection of their colorectal cancer. Forty resections of the liver were major anatomic resections. RESULTS: Five patients died in the postoperative period. All resections were intended to be curative, but in 16 of the patients the resection became noncurative. None of these patients lived more than two years after liver resection. Fifty patients with a curative resection had a three-year survival rate of 36 percent, postoperative death included. Recurrence in the liver was observed in 30 patients (60 percent) from 3 to 33 (median, 11) months after the liver resection. Four patients had repeated resections performed. Two of them are alive without recurrences 34 and 60 months after the first liver resection, respectively. The difference in survival between curative and noncurative liver resection was highly significant (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sex, age, Dukes stage of primary colorectal cancer, synchronous or metachronous appearance of metastases, or number of metastases could not predict long-term prognosis. The only factors of predictive value were tumor size less than 4 cm in diameter, a free resection margin, and no extrahepatic tumor. If it is possible to do a curative resection, there should be few contraindications against liver surgery as it is the only treatment that can demonstrate long-term survival for approximately one-third of the patients, and it is the only possibility of a cure.