Onkológia 6/2007

RESECTION OF HEPATAL METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CARCINOMA – MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Recent developments in the treatment of colorectal cancer have focused on the role of chemotherapy as systemic treatment in an attempt to prolong survival and improve treatment outcomes for patients. Despite the use of systemic chemotherapy, however, the median survival of patients with metastatic disease has been reported 33 months in maximum. It is important to underline the role of surgery not only by the elimination of the primary tumor, but also of metastasis in the liver. Using correct combination of surgery and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic disease, substantial prolongation in the survival can be achieved. Communication between oncologist, surgeon and radiologist as the multidisciplinary approach is crucial for correct management of patients with metastatic liver disease with respect to their maximal benefit.

Keywords: colorectal cancer, liver metastasis, chemotherapy, surgical therapy