Colon Cancer Metastases Program

Liver Metastases

The liver has a unique ability to regenerate which provides a trained liver surgeon with numerous options to address liver metastasis.  Surgery is possible for any number or size of liver lesions.  Our team of liver surgeons work collaboratively utilizing innovative strategies to facilitate the removal of the cancer, including:

Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) pump

HAI pumps deliver high doses of chemotherapy directly to the liver through an abdominal pump. Typically, chemotherapy is delivered intravenously, whereas the HAI pump allows for administration of a high dose of chemotherapy directly to  the tumor.  This approach often shrinks the tumor to the point that surgical removal is possible. Rutgers Cancer Institute was the first center in the state of New Jersey to offer this cutting-edge therapy.

Multistage Operative Procedures

Since the liver can regenerate, this technique involves performing a two-stage surgery.  An operation is performed to remove liver tumors from one side of the organ.  Once that side has recovered and regenerated, a second surgery removes the diseased section from the other side. This short delay between surgeries allows for all of the disease to be removed and provides necessary time for the liver to recover.

Portal Vein Embolization

This procedure is used to stop blood flow to the cancerous part of the liver, encouraging the healthy section to grow larger. Once that occurs, the diseased areas are removed via surgery.

Peritoneal Metastases

Cancer that spreads within the abdominal cavity can be treated using cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). Cytoreductive surgery is a surgical procedure to reduce the amount of cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. After cancerous tumors are removed, the abdomen is then bathed with hot chemotherapy to kill any microscopic cancer cells that remain. Placing the chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity allows for delivery of much higher doses than are possible through an IV, while minimizing toxicity.

Lung Metastases

Colorectal cancer that spreads to the lung can be treated with surgical excision—usually with minimally invasive techniques. Additional non-surgical therapies include stereotactic (focused) radiation, ablation (probe to “burn” the tumors), and/or cryotherapy (probe to “freeze” the tumor).

In all cases of colorectal metastasis, the treatment protocol must be tailored to the individual patient – depending on where the cancer is located, what other organs are involved, the patient’s overall health, and each patient’s individual preferences.  Our team will work with you to understand your therapy options.