OBJECTIVE The resection of colorectal liver metastases is currently a well accepted and effective treatment. In the past decade liver metastases of breast cancer have been treated more frequently by surgical intervention. METHODS The authors retrospectively studied the data of 17 operated patients, and investigated the clinical features of liver metastases, lymph node involvement of primary tumor, the indications of operations, and early and late results of the treatment. RESULTS The solitary metastasis and demarcated multiple metastases, which seemed (by CT scan) to be operable by Ro resection were among the surgical indications. Different segment resections, 3 laparoscopic resections and one hemihepatectomy were performed. There were no deaths in the perioperative period, though there were two minor postoperative complications in two cases. All patients received chemotherapy. By follow-up, three breast cancer patients died, whose average survival rate was 19.25 months. The other patients' average follow-up time was 15.17 months, without relapse. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion it appears that in selected cases resection of liver metastases can be safely performed and the survival rate is reasonable.