Managing patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases
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Managing patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases

Linda Sherwood Colorectal cancer nurse specialist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

Linda Sherwood examines the latest developments in the treatment of resectable colorectal liver metastases, emphasising the need for a multidisciplinary approach

The liver is the most common site for colorectal cancer metastases. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice with encouraging five-year survival rates of 37-58%. All patients with hepatic disease should be reviewed by a liver surgeon to assess operability. Important factors in the pathway to potential liver resection include multidisciplinary team working to review imaging, determine resectability and consider the use of cytotoxics and monoclonal antibodies to optimise patient outcomes.

This article explores management of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) who are considered suitable for surgical resection. It draws on the epidemiology and changing context of treatment for this patient group. It covers the main features of the pathway to surgical resection and potential implications for those being considered for surgical resection.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 14, 8, 22-26. doi: 10.7748/cnp.14.8.22.s21

Correspondence

linda.sherwood@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind review and checked using antiplagiarism software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 13 May 2015

Accepted: 24 August 2015

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