Surgical dilemmas in the management of colorectal liver metastases: The role of timing

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an emerging health problem in the Western World both for its raising tendency as well as for its metastatic potential. Almost half of the patients with CRC will develop liver metastases during the course of their disease. The liver surgeon dealing with colorectal liver metastases faces several surgical dilemmas especially in the setting of the timing of operation. Synchronous resectable metastases should be treated prior or after induction chemotherapy? Furthermore in the case of synchronous colorectal liver metastases which organ should we first deal with, the liver or the colon? All these questions are set in the editorial and impulse for further investigation is put focusing on multidisciplinary approach and individualization of treatment modalities.