Liver metastasis. Report of a workshop, May 26th 1984

The aim of the workshop was to reach a consensus on issues of importance to future collaborative research. An international staging system was accepted for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, based on the percent of hepatic replacement by tumor (PHR). The value of the various imaging techniques in assessing the PHR was discussed. Agreement was reached on criteria for response and on eligibility criteria for nonsurgical treatment, whereas discussion remained on eligibility criteria for resection. Finally the importance was stressed of the need for no-treatment-control-groups and for a 'matrix' for future hepatic metastases protocols, delineating objectives, staging procedures, criteria for response, follow-up procedures and statistical analysis of the data.