ABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide with an annual incidence of one million/year and approximately 600,000 deaths/year. Seventy percent of patients present with limited disease, whereas 30% present with locally advanced or distant metastatic disease. Metastatic disease develops in 40%–60% of all patients with colorectal cancer. Colorectal liver metastases can occur simultaneously or sequentially and can appear as isolated liver metastases or in combination with other distant metastases. Synchronous metastases are usually diagnosed at time of diagnosis of the primary cancer; however, occasionally they lead to the diagnosis. Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases is the standard of care if complete resection of liver metastases and other metastases – if present – can be achieved. In additional extrahepatic metastases such as pulmonary metastases or peritoneal carcinomatosis are no longer considered a contraindication for cure, if all metastases are potentially completely resectable.
