Liver transplantation for colorectal liver metastases: What do we need to know?

Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality, driven by stage IV disease (Rahib et al., 2014) [1]. While surgical resection of liver metastases has demonstrated a survival advantage, a minority of patients are candidates for resection due to anatomic involvement of disease. Recent advances in liver surgery, chemotherapy, and decision making guided by stratification at the time of presentation has better equipped us to perform aggressive metastasectomies, with resulting improved survival (Fong et al., 1999; Abdalla et al., 2001; Cremolini et al., 2017) [2-4]. As a result, there is a resurgent interest in the concept of total hepatectomy and liver transplantation (LT) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). As of this writing, eight prospective clinical trials in six countries are assessing the viability of split or whole LT for CRLM. However, LT for CRLM remains controversial. Recent prospective trials have illustrated the importance of patient selection, and a disciplined respect for tumor biology. Here we present the current status of LT for CRLM, and suggest clinical decision criteria aimed at matching survival benefit comparable to other indications for LT.