| Abstract: |
Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies. At presentation, metastatic spread is observed in approximately 20 % of patients with a further 50 % developing metastases during their disease course. In patients who develop metastases, 80 % have some form of liver involvement. The only treatment for patients with isolated colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) associated with potential long-term survival and cure is surgery. Unfortunately, most patients (75–80 %) have disease that is not amenable to surgical intervention. However, recent advances in all areas of the management of CRLM have resulted in more numerous treatment options for this population of patients. Developments in diagnosis, medical therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy), nonsurgical locoregional therapy (ablation, embolization, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy), and surgical therapy have expanded the treatment armamentarium for patients with CRLM and subsequently increased the complexity of management. Many newer therapies/treatment strategies have proven effective; however, there is debate regarding the ideal clinical implementation. In order to optimize clinical outcomes in patients with CRLM, awareness of current and emerging therapies and treatment strategies is essential. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016. |
