Liver transplantation in colorectal metastases. Is there an indication for this procedure?

Almost 25% of patients with colorectal cancer present metastases at the time of diagnosis and 50% go on to develop metastases in the course of the disease. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment although only between 20% and 30% of patients present resectable lesions. Although liver transplantation is contraindicated in unresectable metastases of colorectal cancer, ever since the publication of the results of a pilot study there has been renewed interest in transplantation in these patients. In two consecutive trials overall and recurrence-free 5-year survival rates of 83% and 35% respectively, have been reported, Currently several trials are ongoing which are expected to allow the patient selection criteria for the indication of liver transplantation to be refined.