Value of positron emission tomography with [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose in patients with colorectal liver metastases: a prospective study.

Purpose: To assess prospectively the value of fluor-18-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), in addition to conventional diagnostic methods (CDM), as a staging modality in candidates for resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Patients And Methods: In 51 patients analyzed for resection of colorectal liver metastases, clinical management decisions were recorded after a complete work-up with CDM. Afterward, FDG-PET scans were performed and any change of clinical management according to FDG-PET results was carefully documented.

Cryosurgery as treatment modality for colorectal liver metastases.

Liver metastases occur in more than 40% of the patients with colorectal cancer. The best prospect of cure is achieved by resection of the metastases. Only 10-15% of the patients with colorectal metastases are candidates for resection.

Repeated liver resection for recurrent liver cancer.

Patients with cancer recurrence limited to the liver alone after a first liver resection may be candidates for a repeat resection. Some 191 second and ten third liver resections for recurrent colorectal metastases, and 128 second and ten third liver resections for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), were evaluated after reviewing the literature. The 5-year survival rate after second liver resection for colorectal metastases was 26 per cent with a median survival time of 30 months.