[Why are too few patients with colorectal liver metastases submitted to resection?]

The resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) within the framework of a multimodal treatment concept is a generally accepted and potentially curative treatment approach. Despite the fact that liver surgery represents a survival extension for patients with a good quality of life, this treatment option is offered to nowhere near all patients. This article summarizes the results of liver resection for CRLM patients and discusses the reasons for the different estimations of resectability even by experienced liver surgeons. The complexity of the treatment is exemplarily shown based on a case report.