Frontiers in Surgery (Jul 2021)

Colon Rectal Liver Metastases: The Role of the Liver Transplantation in the Era of the Transplant Oncology and Precision Medicine

  • Michele Finotti,
  • Alessandro Vitale,
  • Enrico Gringeri,
  • Francesco Enrico D'Amico,
  • Riccardo Boetto,
  • Alessandra Bertacco,
  • Sara Lonardi,
  • Francesca Bergamo,
  • Paolo Feltracco,
  • Umberto Cillo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2021.693387
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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The development of liver metastases in colon rectal cancer has a strong impact on the overall survival (OS) of the patient, with a 5-year survival rate of 5% with palliative treatment. Surgical resection combined with pharmacological treatment can achieve a 5-year OS rate of 31–58%. However, in only 20% of patients with colon rectal liver metastases (CRLMs), liver resection is feasible. In highly selected patients, recent trials and studies proved that liver transplantation (LT) for non-resectable CRLM is a surgical option with an excellent long-term OS. The paper aims to review the indications and outcome of LT for CRLMs, with a special focus on immunosuppressive therapy and the management of local and extrahepatic recurrence after LT.

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