Background: Metastases to the liver is the leading cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer.
Methods: The authors review the data on diagnosis and management of this clinical problem, and they discuss management options that can be considered.
Results: Complete surgical resection of metastases from colorectal cancer that are localized to the liver results in 5-year survival rates ranging from 26% to 40%.
Conclusions: By adding modalities such as targeted systemic therapy and other "local" treatments for liver metastases, further gains in survival are anticipated.