For patients with liver metastases from pancreatic, duodenal, ampullary, and distal bile duct cancer, the expected survival is short if treated with palliative chemotherapy only. Previous studies indicate that the outcome may be improved for those treated with resection or ablation of the liver metastases. Retrospective analysis of patients from three Swedish and one Norwegian hepatopancreatobiliary centers between 2010 and 2021. Patients with liver metastases from pancreatic, duodenal, ampullary, and distal bile duct cancer treated with liver resection or ablation were included. Data regarding surgical procedures, as well as survival data, was retrieved. A total of 39 patients were identified, of which 12 had synchronous liver metastases. Twenty-nine underwent resection, seven ablation, and three underwent resection and ablation. The median survival after surgical treatment of the liver metastases was 22 (95 % CI: 16-27) months. Those with R0 resection of the primary tumor had significantly longer survival, compared to those with R1-resection, 23 (95 % CI: 17-28 months) respective 12 (95 % CI: 4-20) months, p=0.03. The histopathological diagnosis of the primary tumor did not seem to affect the outcome. Selected patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancers have favourable outcomes following surgical treatment for liver metastasis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and expand indications.
Hasselgren et al. (2026) studied this question.