Review Article

Colorectal Cancer: Prevention and Management of Metastatic Disease

Figure 1

Schematic diagram that presents a theoretical model comparing the progression of one colorectal liver metastasis to one peritoneal metastasis over one year. The liver metastasis will expand within the liver parenchyma with a doubling time of approximately three months. The peritoneal metastasis will progress at approximately the same speed but will also exfoliate cancer cells into the free peritoneal space. Many cancer nodules of many different sizes will occur, widely distributed throughout the abdomen and pelvis within one year (reprinted with permission from Sugarbaker PH. Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy for selected patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer: a new standard of care or an experimental approach? Gastroenterol Res Pract Volume 2012; 2012: Article ID 309417, 9 pages).
782890.fig.001