Liver transplantation in treatment of nonresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide.?About 15% colorectal cancer patients will develop liver metastasis after surgery within 5 years, with liver resection serving as an effective treatment. However, only 20% to 40% patients with colorectal liver metastases are qualified for upfront liver resection. The reason for resection failure is that liver remnant volume in these patients is insufficient. The liver resection rate can be improved by portal vein embolization (PVE), associating liver partition and portal vein ligation in staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and so on. However, the overall resection rate is still below 50%. Liver transplantation (LT) is an attractive option for patients with nonresectable CRC liver metastases without extra hepatic involvement. Recent studies have shown that the 5-year overall survival rate of LT in patients with nonresectable CRC liver metastases is 50%, which is very optimistic. This article aims to review the current research in LT for treatment of nonresectable CRC liver metastases.