Predicting prognosis in colorectal liver metastases

Liver surgeons treating colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are on the verge of fascinating times. On one hand, there is a trend towards minimally invasive, or percutaneous, approaches of liver treatment, whereas on the other hand reports on maximally invasive surgery have come out that claim survival benefit for CRLM patients if treated aggressively. In order to choose between these different treatment philosophies, the surgeon, and equally importantly the patient, need tools. Tools that will tell whether the proposed treatment option will indeed be of benefit for the patient sitting in clinic in front of you.