Intérêt de la chimiothérapie péri-opératoire dans la prise en charge des métastases hépatiques résécables d'origine colorectale

Surgical resection remains the only treatment of colorectal liver metastases that can ensure long-term survival and cure in some patients, but only a minority of patients with liver metastases is directly amenable to surgery. Cancer relapse is observed in the majority of patients after resection of liver metastases despite progress in surgical technique and improved surgical skills. In order to decrease the risk of cancer relapse, it has been proposed to combine surgery and chemotherapy, which could be administered before, after or before and after surgery. It has been demonstrated that perioperative chemotherapy can reduce the risk of cancer relapse and should be considered as the standard of care for most patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases. However perioperative chemotherapy has also potential disadvantages. This review will summarize the current data on the rationale, benefits and potential disadvantages of perioperative chemotherapy in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases.