A critical review of the major indicators of prognosis after resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

Hepatic resections for metastatic colorectal cancer have dramatically increased, and there is clear evidence of the effectiveness of this type of surgery. Controversy, however, persists regarding appropriate patient selection, extent and timing of liver resection, and adjuvant or alternative therapeutic options. This article reviews the authors' experience with more than 600 hepatic resections and the relevant literature is discussed. The results underscore the importance of macroscopically and histologically complete tumor clearance, a so-called "R0 resection."