Management of patients with colorectal liver metastasis in eleven questions and answers

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2016 Dec;16(12):1277-1290. doi: 10.1080/14737140.2016.1249855. Epub 2016 Nov 7.

Abstract

Colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is the most frequent indication for liver resection in many centers. Recent improvements in oncology, surgery, interventional radiology, pathology and anesthesiology allow curative treatment in a larger proportion of patients with CRLM. Areas covered: We illustrate the various aspects of the management of CRLM through 11 questions that summarize the topic, from the current obtained survival to future perspectives such as transplantation. The limits of a curative treatment are also presented from different angles, such as the benefits of pathology, the surgical options for extreme resections, the available chemotherapies and their efficacy, or the non-surgical ablative treatments. Expert commentary: Given the increasing therapeutic possibilities, we strengthen the importance to analyze the situation of each patient with CRLM in a dedicated multidisciplinary team, in order to offer the best individualized treatment combination.

Keywords: Colorectal liver metastases; liver cancer; liver locoregional treatment; liver surgery; liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Hepatectomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Liver Transplantation / methods
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents