The role of hepatic and pancreatic metastatectomy in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review

Surgical resection is feasible in a small proportion of patients with oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) involving the liver or pancreas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of liver and pancreatic resection or ablation for mRCC on survival and to identify factors associated with improved outcomes. A systematic search of the Medline and EMBASE databases was performed to identify studies reporting outcomes following hepatic or pancreatic resection or ablation for mRCC. The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 35 studies reporting pancreatic resection outcomes and 14 studies reporting hepatic resection for mRCC were identified. There were no randomised controlled trials. Median overall survival (OS) following liver resection ranged from 16 to 142 months and 5-year OS from 14.7 to 62%. Following pancreatic resection, median OS ranged from 6 to 106 months and 5-year OS from 26 to 88%. Metachronous presentation and a longer DFI from resection of the primary tumour were associated with better survival outcomes. Mortality following liver and pancreatic resection was 2.7% and 4.2%, whilst significant morbidity (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3a or above) was reported in 20.9% and 25.4% of cases respectively. Liver or pancreatic resection or ablation for oligometastatic RCC may benefit a very select group of patients and they should be discussed within a hepatopancreatobiliary multidisciplinary tumour board meeting. Further studies are required to further define patients most likely to benefit, including potential utilization of molecular precision oncology strategies.