Adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal liver metastases are common and found in almost 50% of patients with colorectal cancer. Surgical excision, whenever possible, is the optimum form of treatment and should be carried out with the intention of removing all macroscopic disease (R0 resection). However, recurrence frequently occurs within the remaining liver as well as at extra-hepatic sites. The role of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in an attempt to reduce the incidence of recurrence has been investigated in several studies. This review discusses the possible incorporation of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy following liver resection.