Surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases

Resection is the only curative treatment of colorectal liver metastases proofed by a long-term follow-up. The operation is indicated if the metastases are completely removable with sufficient liver parenchyma remaining after resection and if the patient is fit for surgery. The resection is not indicated in cases with non resectable extrahepatic tumours and lymph node metastases distal the hepatoduodenal ligament. The postoperative mortality amounts to about 5% and the 5-year-survival-rates range between 20 and 40% depending on the selection of patients. Aims of new concepts of operative therapy are the improvement of resectability by preoperative portal vein embolization, the resection combined with local destructive methods and preoperative chemotherapy. Additionally, new drugs for adjuvant treatment after resection of metastases are studied. The interdisciplinary discussion of the course before and after therapy is essential for the individual optimal treatment.