To explore the prognostic factors for patients with breast cancer liver metastases after hepatectomy.

Clinical data of 51 patients with breast cancer liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy at the Third and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were female, aged 41-72 years with a median of 59 years. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Clinicopathological features and survival prognostic factors for the patients were analyzed. Univariate factor analysis for survival prognosis was performed using Log-rank test, and multivariate factor analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard model.

The median diameter of liver metastases was 25(15-50) mm and the number was 2(1-3). Liver lesions of 38 cases localized in single lobe and lesions of 13 cases in multiple lobes. Negative surgical margin was observed in 46 cases and positive in 5 cases. Positive estrogen receptor (ER) was observed in 34 cases and positive progesterone receptor (PR) in 30 cases. Univariate analysis indicated that diameter of liver metastases, surgical margin, and ER were associated with the overall survival (HR=1.12, 1.54, 1.38; P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor diameter >2.5 cm and positive surgical margin were the independent risk factors for the overall survival after resection of liver metastases from breast cancer (HR=1.02, 1.43; P<0.05).

Liver metastases from breast cancer are mainly multiple lesions, confining to single lobe with minor diameter. Diameter of liver metastases and surgical margin were the independent factors for the overall survival of patients after resection of liver metastases from breast cancer.