Current status of surgery in colorectal metastases to the liver

The prime role of hepatic resection in the management of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver is firmly established. The evolution of surgical and anaesthetic techniques has dramatically reduced the morbidity and mortality of elective liver resection in the hands os specialist hepatobiliary surgical teams. At least a third of patients who undergo liver resection for colorectal metastases can expect to survive five years. Although only 10-20% of all patients presenting with colorectal liver metastases are suitable for surgery, novel strategies such as portal vein embolisation and downstaging chemotherapy promise to increase the proportion of eligible patients.