Outcome of metastatic colorectal cancer: analysis of a consecutive series of 229 patients. The impact of a multidisciplinary approach.

Purpose: New chemotherapy agents and integrated treatments have improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: From January 2000 to December 2002, 229 consecutive metastatic patients were prospectively followed and their outcomes were analyzed. They were divided initially into four treatment groups: A, palliative chemotherapy for extensive extrahepatic disease with or without hepatic disease (97 patients); B, palliative chemotherapy as in Group A for extensive hepatic disease unlikely to become resectable (36 patients); C, neoadjuvant chemotherapy for potentially resectable liver metastases if responsive to therapy (33 patients); D, immediate surgery for liver metastases (63 patients).