Liver-directed therapies for patients with primary liver cancer and hepatic metastases.

Liver cancer, whether primary or metastatic, is a major cause of death throughout the world. The surgical management of these diseases varies according to the extent of disease and the overall health of the patient. Surgical resection of hepatic disease remains the only chance for cure. However, a large proportion of patients with liver cancer are unable to undergo a complete surgical resection. These patients are often treated with liver-directed therapies. Although not as effective as surgical resection, these approaches can help to improve the survival of patients. In patients with primary liver cancer, underlying liver disease often prohibits surgical intervention. However, survival advantages have been gained with the application of percutaneous alcohol injection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In patients with hepatic metastases, the number of metastases is often what prevents surgical resection. In these patients, RFA, cryoablation, and hepatic artery infusional therapy have all aided in prolonging survival. As chemotherapeutic agents improve and targeted therapies are developed, more patients will be able to undergo surgical management of their liver cancer, primary or metastatic.