Metastatic liver tumors

The liver is a common site of metastasis from a variety of tumors. In many cases, liver resection for metastatic cancer provides the only chance for a cure and can be performed with less than 5% mortality and acceptable morbi dity. The 5-year survival following liver resection for colorectal metastas is is reported in many large series to be 25% to 37%. The data regarding li ver resection for other metastatic tumor types are less clear. However, res ection for selected tumors, such as neuroendocrine and renal cell, can prov ide durable palliation and/or cure. We will review important prognostic fac tors used to guide the selection of patients for resection of metastatic di sease and make recommendations for imaging studies and follow-up routines. The role of adjuvant regional and systemic chemotherapy for resectable meta static disease is also discussed. Methods for ablating unresectable metasta tic tumors may prove to be useful adjuncts to current therapies. Semin. Sur g. Oncol. 19:177-188, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.