Early Detection of Treatment Failure in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

In North America, colorectal cancer patients with resectable liver-restricted metastases (mCRC-LR) are treated with approximately 6 months of preoperative systemic multi-agent chemotherapy. Actuarial data however supports that approximately 20% of mCRC-LR patients can be cured without as much systemic chemotherapy. Prospective phase II-III trials also support that awaiting recurrence to initiate further metastases-targeted or systemic treatment may provide patients with longer overall survival while avoiding toxicities in those without recurrence.