Between 1978 and 1985 a total of 49 patients (20 women and 29 men, aged 31-78 years) were operated upon for liver metastases of a colorectal carcinoma. Metastasis recurrences occurred in 42 of 46 patients (91%). Three patients died in connection with the operation (6.1%). The five-year survival rate was 10.7%. Neither number, site and volume of the metastases, level of carcinoembryonic antigen concentration, tumour differentiation, stage or site of primary tumour, nor type of operation (enucleation or hemihepatectomy) had any influence on survival rate. Since most of the recurrences in the liver had occurred after enucleation at the site of the previous resection, it is feasible that the results could be improved by extending the area of resection.