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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jul 15, 2011; 3(7): 107-110
Published online Jul 15, 2011. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v3.i7.107
Published online Jul 15, 2011. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v3.i7.107
Complete clinical response of liver metastasis after chemotherapy: To resect or not?
Jose M Ramia-Angel, Roberto De la Plaza, Jose E Quiñones, HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery, Universitary Hospital of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 19002, Spain
Author contributions: Ramia-Angel JM wrote the paper; Ramia-Angel JM, De la Plaza R and Quiñones JE designed the research and did the bibliographical review.
Correspondence to: Jose M Ramia-Angel, MD, PhD, HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery, Universitary Hospital of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 19002, Spain. jose_ramia@hotmail.com
Telephone: +34-915-336470 Fax: +34-949-209200
Received: March 3, 2011
Revised: June 19, 2011
Accepted: June 24, 2011
Published online: July 15, 2011
Revised: June 19, 2011
Accepted: June 24, 2011
Published online: July 15, 2011
Abstract
This paper aims to update the therapeutical strategies in liver metastasis with complete clinical response (CCR) after chemotherapy and to determine if surgery is always necessary after CCR. The aim of chemotherapy is to achieve a good clinical response rather than CCR of liver metastasis. The CCR of liver metastasis after chemotherapy cannot be considered synonymous with a cure. The resection of the hepatic segment where there was hepatic metastases with CCR after chemotherapy theoretically prevents recurrence, improves survival and makes it possible to confirm whether there has been a complete pathological response. However, the medical literature about this topic is scarce and sometimes contradictory.
Keywords: Metastasis; Liver; Clinical response; Chemotherapy; Surgery