Table 1. Distribution patterns of breast cancer metastases within and outside the liver and the effect on survival times.
| Metastatic distribution | Number (percentage) affected | Median survival+(range) (months) |
|---|---|---|
| Within the liver | ||
| Single metastasis | 28 (19.3) | 10.34 (1.1–51) |
| Multiple non-confluent metastases | 84 (57.9) | 4.6 (0.16–30)a,b |
| Diffuse parenchymal metastases | 12 (8.3) | 1.85 (0.16–31)a |
| Multiple confluent metastases | 22 (15.3) | 1.66 (0.16–20)a |
| Outside the liver | ||
| Liver alone | 36 (24.8) | 4.97 (0.16–30) NS |
| Liver and bone | 61 (42.1) | 3.87 (0.16–51) NS |
| Liver and lung | 34 (23.4) | 5.75 (0.16–51) NS |
| Liver and pleura | 24 (16.6) | 4.27 (0.7–23) NS |
| Liver and otherc | 40 (27.6) | 4.7 (0.16–32) NS |
| Liver and multiple sites | 43 (29.7) | 5.1 (0.3–51) NS |
Data shown are the median survival times from the date of diagnosis with liver metastases (plus range). Patients in the site-specific rows may be included in the multiple sites rows.
a
Denotes statistical significance compared with survival for single metastasis.
b
Denotes statistical significance compared with survival for diffuse and multiple confluent meatastases, P<0.05, Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U-test.
c
Other metastases include four CNS, two ovarian, 18 with para-aortic, mediastinal or supracalvicular nodes, nine with ascites, one adrenal, one endometrial and two cutaneous. NS=not statistically significant.