Utility of Surgical Resection in the Management of Metachronous Krukenberg's Tumors of Gastric Origin

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and the significance of metastatectomy for Krukenberg's tumors of gastric origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patient who underwent gastric surgery from 1992 through 2005, 90 female patients with Krukenberg's tumors of gastric origin were identified. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatments for primary gastric cancer. We also investigated the prognostic risk factors for the onset of metachronous Krukenberg's tumors and the survival time of patients who underwent an operation for metachronous Krukenberg's tumors. RESULTS: The presence of a synchronous Krukenberg's tumor (mean survival time=17.6 months, P<0.01), peritoneal seeding (14.5 months, P<0.01), and non-curative resection (15.1 months, P<0.01), were statistically significant prognostic factors for survival time in female patients with gastric cancer. The stage of primary gastric cancer (P=0.049) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.011) were statistically significant risk factors for recurrence time of a metachronous Krukenberg's tumor. In the metachronous Krukenberg's tumor group (n=53), the mean survival time of the metastatectomy group (n=46, 43.2 months, P=0.012) was longer than that in the chemotherapy or conservative treatment groups (n=7 and 24 months, respectively). Metastatectomy, presense or abscence of residual tumor and extent of residual tumor were significant prognostic factors for survival time in female patients with metachronous Krukenberg's tumor of gastric origin. CONCLUSIONS: A close observation and evaluation with ultrasound or computed tomography is necessary in female patients with advanced gastric cancer to detect a metachronous Krukenberg's tumor as soon as possible. The surgeon must operate more aggressively in patients with metachronous Krukenberg's tumors.