Imaging of liver metastases (CT scan, MRI, PET scan)

摘要

The early detection of metastatic disease in colorectal cancer either at initial presentation or during follow up has been shown to benefit patients. This is because surgical resection for small volume isolated metastases can be curative and early detection of such disease improves the chances of cure. Even after metastatectomy, continued surveillance is worthwhile since repeat resection for recurrent disease is associated with favourable long-term survival [1-3]. The percentage of patients in whom long term cure is achievable following resection of metastatic disease in lungs or liver has increased in recent years and there is a continuing trend of improving survival and cure rates. Technological advances in imaging have played an important part in contributing to this improvement. This has been achieved through more accurate preoperative imaging leading to rigorous patient selection [4-6].