[Better treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastases].
Three patients, 61, 58 and 63 years old, presented with non-resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The first patient, a man, who had a solitary lesion in the liver and severe cardiovascular morbidity, was successfully treated with laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy. The second patient, a woman, had large multiple liver metastases and two concomitant isolated pulmonary metastases. Following chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin, all lesions were downsized and a hemihepatectomy and pulmonary wedge resections were able to be performed in two stages. At the last follow-up, both patients were disease-free after 12 and 24 months respectively. The third patient, a man, presenting with multiple synchronous liver metastases, showed a significant decrease of hepatic tumour involvement after six courses of capecitabine. At present he is in a good condition and his disease is stable. Surgical resection ofcolorectal liver metastases leads to a 5-year survival rate of up to 45% in selected patients. Unfortunately, only 10 to 20% of patients are amenable to surgical resection. In the remaining group, a combination of new treatment options using local tumour ablative therapies and novel chemotherapeutic regimens provide alternative strategies with the potential of long-term survival.
Wicherts
D A
DA
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht.
de Haas
R J
RJ
Borel Rinkes
I H M
IH
Voest
E E
EE
van Hillegersberg
R
R
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents