Chemotherapy for the conversion of unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases to resection.
Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is the ultimate aim of treatment strategies in most patients with liver-confined metastatic colorectal cancer. Long-term survival is possible in selected patients with initially resectable or unresectable CLM. As a majority of patients have unresectable liver disease at the outset, there is a clear role for chemotherapy to downstage liver disease making resection possible. Studies of systemic chemotherapy with or without biologic therapy in patients with unresectable CLM have resulted in increased response rates, liver resection rates and survival. A sound physiologic rationale exists for the use of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy. Studies have shown that HAI with floxuridine combined with systemic chemotherapy increases response rates and liver resection rates in those patients with initially unresectable CLM. Toxicity from preoperative chemotherapy, biologic therapy and HAI therapy may adversely affect hepatic resection but can be kept minimal with appropriate monitoring. All conversion strategies should be decided by a multidisciplinary team.
Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Oncology Division, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. drdgpower@gmail.com
Derek G
DG
Power
Nancy E
NE
Kemeny
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005467:Floxuridine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000379:methods; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D005467:Floxuridine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin