Can liver metastases from rectal cancer be treated with surgery?

Oct 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Introduction
If the location of the metastatic tumor is relatively safe and its removal would not impair liver function, surgery to resect both the primary and metastatic lesions can be performed at a正规 hospital under medical supervision, significantly improving survival rates. However, if the metastatic lesion is in a high-risk location where surgical removal could damage liver function or cannot achieve complete resection, surgery is no longer a feasible option.

In general, whether surgery is feasible for liver metastasis from rectal cancer can be determined by analyzing the safety of the metastatic lesion's location. If the location of the metastasis is considered safe, surgery is generally possible; if the location is high-risk, surgery is usually not recommended. Patients experiencing any discomfort should seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If the metastatic lesion is in a relatively safe location—for example, if it is a single lesion located on the surface of the liver and its removal will not impair liver function—surgical intervention is recommended. In such cases, patients should go to a reputable hospital to undergo procedures such as hepatectomy or colostomy under the guidance of a physician, aiming to remove both the primary tumor and metastatic lesions to improve survival rates.

However, if the metastatic lesion is in a high-risk location—for instance, if the cancer has spread beyond the original site, extensively infiltrated surrounding tissues, and already disseminated to the liver via the bloodstream—surgery may damage liver function or fail to completely remove all tumor tissue. In these situations, surgical resection is no longer a viable option, and patients should instead follow their doctor’s advice to pursue safer and more effective non-surgical treatments.

Throughout the treatment process, patients should closely monitor changes in their condition so that treatment plans can be adjusted promptly as needed.

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