Cytoreductive Surgery Plus Hyperthermic Perioperative Chemotherapy for Selected Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: A New Standard of Care or an Experimental Approach?

Figure 3

Schematic diagram that presents a theoretical model comparing the progression of one colorectal liver metastasis to one peritoneal metastases 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.