Conversion therapy for synchronous colorectal liver metastases

: Conversion therapy, a treatment strategy that facilitates the conversion of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) to resectable CLRM after chemotherapy, has been reported to be effective. We assessed the applicability of treatment strategies for conversion therapy in 93 patients with synchronous CRLM encountered at our department. Of the 93 patients, 12 underwent conversion therapy and there was no significant difference in the clinicopathological factors of CRLM. The first-line regimen for 67% of the 12 patients who underwent conversion therapy was multidrug therapy with oxaliplatin and the number of courses administered ranged from 3 to 24. The 5-year survival rate of patients who underwent conversion therapy was 46%,and there was no significant difference when compared with the 5-year survival rate of patients who underwent hepatectomy for resectable CRLM. In order to improve the survival rate of patients with synchronous CRLM, it is important that more patients undergo conversion therapy with effective chemotherapy. Moreover, we believe that it is necessary to assess the appropriate balance in treatment between chemotherapy and hepatectomy in the future.