hepatic and biliary disorders
Metastatic Liver Cancer
Treatment of Metastatic Liver Cancer
Sometimes surgical resection Sometimes systemic chemotherapy; sometimes hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy Occasionally, radiation therapy for palliation Treatment depends on the extent of metastasis. With solitary or very few metastases due to Colorectal Cancer , surgical resection may prolong survival. Depending on characteristics of the primary tumor, systemic chemotherapy may shrink tumors and prolong life but is not curative; hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy sometimes has the same effect but with fewer or milder systemic adverse effects. Radiation therapy to the liver occasionally alleviates severe pain due to advanced metastases but does not prolong life. Extensive disease is fatal and is best managed by palliation for the patient and support for the family (see The Dying Patient ). 