Extended hepatic metastasectomy for renal cell carcinoma—new aspects in times of targeted therapy: a single-center experience over three decades

Purpose Despite the introduction of novel targeted therapies on patients with renal cell carcinoma, syn- and metachronous metastases (including hepatic lesions) are observed frequently and significantly influence patient survival. With introduction of targeted therapies as an effective alternative to surgery, therapeutical strategies in stage IV disease must be reevaluated. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 40 patients undergoing hepatic resection of histologically confirmed RCC metastases at our institution between April 1993 and April 2017. Results The interval between nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and hepatic metastasectomy was 44.0 months (3.3–278.5). Liver resections of different extents were performed, including multivisceral resections. The median follow-up was 37.8 months (0.5–286.5). Tumor recurrence after resection of hepatic metastases occurred in 19 patients resulting in a median disease-free survival of 16.2 months (0.7–265.1) and a median overall survival of 37.8 months (0.5–286.5). Multivariable analysis identified multivisceral resection as an independent risk factor for disease-free and overall survival ( p = 0.043 and p = 0.001, respectively). A longer interval between nephrectomy and hepatic metastasectomy was identified as an independent significant protective factor for overall survival ( p