Use of clinical score to stage and predict outcome of hepatic resection of metastatic colorectal cancer.

All metastatic colorectal cancer cases are classified as stage IV by AJCC staging, yet cases differ widely as to prognosis. Criteria are needed to select patients for surgery, for adjuvant therapy, and for clinical trials. In this paper we review the various prognostic scoring systems proposed, including the most widely used clinical risk score. Validation and practical uses of these scoring systems are also discussed.