[What can colorectal cancer centers achieve in the diagnostics and therapy of colorectal liver metastases?].

Successful resection of liver metastases increases overall survival and can even be a curative approach in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and isolated liver metastases. Resection of liver metastases has clearly changed the therapy of this group of patients and has become a standard procedure that is being used increasingly more. Accordingly, liver metastasis resection has been included in the German evidence-based guidelines and also in international guidelines on the treatment of CRC. The treatment of colorectal liver metastases requires a multidisciplinary team of experts in the disease, including experienced radiologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists and surgeons. The interdisciplinary approach to the treatment in specialized tumor boards staffed by qualified experts is a prerequisite for successful certification as a colorectal cancer center by the German Cancer Society. Regular audits ensure that these requirements and that defined quality indicators regarding the tumor board and primary and secondary liver metastasis resection, are fulfilled. The certification system of the colorectal cancer centers requires and promotes conditions that allow an optimal and guideline-oriented treatment of colorectal liver metastases both at the level of personnel and infrastructure of a given center. The high primary and secondary resection rates in these centers testify that the multidisciplinary teams are effective. A detailed analysis of the audit reports reveals the close collaboration of all partners within the certified networks. These networks also comprise external cooperation with highly specialized hospitals if and when necessary. However, the annual report of the certificated colorectal cancer centers also demonstrates areas for further improvements in multidisciplinary cooperation.