Recipient and donor outcomes after living-donor liver transplant for unresectable colorectal liver metastases

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and nearly 70% of patients with this cancer have unresectable colorectal cancer have unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLMs). Compared with chemotherapy, liver transplant has been reported to improve survival in patients with CRLMs. A prospective study in three liver transplant centers in North America examined recipient and donor outcomes after living-donor liver transplant (LDLT( for unresectable CRLMs in patients with liver-confined disease. Perioperative morbidity for both donors and recipients was consistent with established standards. Recurrence-free and overall survival rates at 1.5 years after LDLT were 62% and 100%, respectively. The authors conclude that select patients with unresectable CRLMs may benefit from total hepatectomy and LDLT.