[Diagnosis and treatment of liver metastases]

Approximately 35-60% of patients with colorectal cancers will develop liver lesions during their life span. Previously colorectal liver metastases have traditionally been categorized as incurable systemic disease. However, the introduction of new chemotherapeutic regimens(e.g. FOLFOX or FOLFIRI)and recent technical innovations(e. g. staged hepatic resection and percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization)has allowed us to perform hepatic resection with curative intent. Additionally, a neoadjuvant strategy has expanded the criteria for liver resection, and more active molecular therapeutic agents are now available. As a result, a recent advancement has enhanced the overall 5-year survival from 30% to 58% for colorectal liver metastases. Despite these facts, many patients still experience a recurrence after hepatic resection. Modern treatment of colorectal liver metastases requires a multimodal approach to increase the number of patients who may benefit from surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.