title: Towards a pan-European consensus on the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastases.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) caused nearly 204,000 deaths in Europe in 2004. Despite recent advances in the treatment of advanced disease, which include the incorporation of two new cytotoxic agents irinotecan and oxaliplatin into first-line regimens, the concept of planned sequential therapy involving three active agents during the course of a patient's treatment and the integrated use of targeted monoclonal antibodies, the 5-year survival rates for patients with advanced CRC remain unacceptably low. For patients with colorectal liver metastases, liver resection offers the only potential for cure. This review, based on the outcomes of a meeting of European experts (surgeons and medical oncologists), considers the current treatment strategies available to patients with CRC liver metastases, the criteria for the selection of those patients most likely to benefit and suggests where future progress may occur.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Digestive Oncology Unit, Leuven, Belgium. Eric.VanCutsem@uzleuven.be
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nordlinger
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Claus-Henning
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Köhne
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzo
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poston
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ychou
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rougier
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D032921:Consensus; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome