Treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

In recent years several new local as well as systemic treatment options have become available for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. A survey among Dutch hospitals revealed considerable differences in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Radiofrequency ablation is a promising technique that is currently being investigated in a randomised trial. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable liver metastases and of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with nonresectable liver metastases has not been clearly established yet. The current status of local and systemic treatment options for colorectal cancer liver metastases is reviewed.