Current Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastasis as a Chronic Disease

Abstract

Background/aim: The treatment of colorectal liver metastases is challenging and requires multidisciplinary strategies. Unfortunately, only 25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases are eligible for liver resection. Due to the variety of therapeutic approaches, this percentage has increased; however, at the same time, the definition of resectability has become complex. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current surgical therapies for colorectal liver metastases.

Materials and methods: Relevant studies published before June 2019 were identified using PubMed. A comprehensive review of the current literature regarding the impact of and innovations in the therapy of colorectal liver metastases was carried out.

Results: The major advances in the resectability of colorectal liver metastases were effective chemotherapy regimens and preoperative liver volume modulation techniques. In addition, health professionals face rapid technical developments in interventional local therapies, minimally invasive surgery, robot-assisted surgery and even liver transplantation.

Conclusion: Currently, liver metastases from colorectal cancer are considered a chronic disease. In cases of advanced colorectal liver metastases, the definition of resectability and the indications for surgical treatment should be exclusively determined by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons.

Keywords: Colorectal liver metastases; chronic disease; resectability; surgery.