The perioperative period is an underutilized window of therapeutic opportunity in patients with colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
In this review, we address the underlying mechanisms by which surgery augments metastases outgrowth and how these insights can be used to develop perioperative therapeutic strategies for prevention of tumor recurrence.


BACKGROUND
Surgical removal of the primary tumor provides the best chance of long-term disease-free survival for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Unfortunately, a significant part of CRC patients will develop metastases, even after successful resection of the primary tumor. Paradoxically, it is now becoming clear that surgery itself contributes to development of both local recurrences and distant metastases.


METHODS
Data for this review were identified by searches of PubMed and references from relevant articles using the search terms "surgery," "CRC," and "metastases."


RESULTS
Surgical trauma and concomitant wound-healing processes induce local and systemic changes, including impairment of tissue integrity and production of inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors. This can lead to immune suppression and enhanced growth or adhesion of tumor cells, all of which increase the chance of exfoliated tumor cells developing into secondary malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Because surgery remains the appropriate and necessary means of treatment for most CRC patients, new adjuvant therapeutic strategies that prevent tumor recurrence after surgery need to be explored since the perioperative therapeutic window of opportunity offers promising means of improving patient outcome but is unfortunately underutilized.
van der Bij
Gerben J
GJ
Department of Surgical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Oosterling
Steven J
SJ
Beelen
Robert H J
RH
Meijer
Sybren
S
Coffey
John C
JC
van Egmond
Marjolein
M
D000818:Animals; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000276:immunology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019990:Perioperative Care; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology