Genetic and Histological Assessment of Surgical Margins in Resected Liver Metastases From Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract

ALTHOUGH SURGICAL margins (SMs) wider than 10 mm have been recommended for hepatic resection for colorectal metastases,^1-3 this is not always achievable when multiple lesions are present or when they are located deep inside the liver and close to major vessels. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for patients who undergo liver resection with minimum margins to survive without recurrence. There have been few reports^4,5 on the minimum SMs required for successful liver resection. This may have limited the application of surgical techniques for colorectal liver metastases that cannot yet be cured by other treatment modalities.⁶