Oligometastatic Disease in Colorectal Cancer - How to Proceed?

BACKGROUND: Oligometastatic disease in colorectal cancer may affect the liver, lung, and peritoneum. This review mainly focuses on colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and highlights recommendations and therapeutic strategies drawn from the current literature and consensus conferences. The following data address a paradigm shift in surgical approaches to CRLM, pushing the limits of multimodal treatment concepts.

METHODS: A systematic review of the relevant literature on multimodal treatment strategies for synchronous and metachronous CRLM is presented.

RESULTS: The choice of treatment strategy depends on the clinical scenario; however, perioperative chemotherapy and the liver-first concept in synchronous CRLM are favored with subsequent partial extended liver resection with or without various augmentation techniques for liver surgery.

CONCLUSION: Surgical strategies should be strongly defined with regard to an adequate liver remnant. All patients with synchronous CRLM should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team.