Surgical approaches to liver metastases

Metastases confined to the liver from tumors arising in the gastrointestinal tract or other sites represent a significant clinical problem. Although the majority of patients present with disease that is not amenable to resection based on the size, number, or anatomic distribution of tumors, for selected patients with limited extent of disease surgical resection can result in long-term survival. In patients with colorectal cancer, a number of adverse prognostic factors have been identified that are associated with shortened survival following hepatic resection. The role of adjuvant hepatic artery infusion and systemic chemotherapyfollowing resection in this patient population has been the topic of several prospective random assignment trials. For patients with unresectable metastases confined to liver, a number of regional therapies are in clinical development and share the advantages of intensifying therapy at the site of tumor while minimizing or eliminating unnecessary systemic exposure and toxicity. One such approach is vascular isolation and perfusion, also known as isolated hepatic perfusion or IHP, in which the liver is treated with high dose chemotherapy and/or biological agents under hyperthermic conditions. Although only a limited number of centers have reported substantial experience with this procedure, it appears to have significant efficacy even in patients with advanced tumor burden orthose with tumors refractory to other types of therapy. The status of IHP is presented.