Targeted therapies in colorectal cancer: Surgical considerations

Carrie Luu, Amanda K. Arrington, Hans F. Schoellhammer, Gagandeep Singh, Joseph Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading worldwide health concern that is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The primary source of mortality for patients with CRC is the development and subsequent progression of metastatic disease. The most common site for distant metastatic disease is the liver. Although patients with metastatic disease to the liver have several effective treatment options, the only one for cure remains surgical resection of the liver metastases. Historically, most patients with liver metastases have had unresectable disease, and only a small percentage of patients have undergone complete curative resection. However, improved systemic therapies have led to an evolution in strategies to treat metastatic CRC to the liver. Under most conditions the management of these patients remains complex; and as chemotherapy options and new targeted therapies continue to improve outcomes, it is clear that a multidisciplinary approach must be the foundation on which advanced surgical and medical techniques are employed. Here, in this review, we highlight the role of targeted therapies in the surgical management of patients with metastatic CRC to the liver.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)328-336
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Colorectal cancer (CRC)
  • Liver
  • Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)
  • Surgical management
  • Targeted therapies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Gastroenterology

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