Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Apr 2010
Multicenter StudyEvaluation of the introduction of a standardised protocol for the staging and follow-up of colorectal cancer on resection rates for liver metastases.
In 2004, an audit in our unit demonstrated wide variation in liver resection rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases within the cancer network. Subsequently, a network-wide CT-based follow-up and referral policy was introduced for all patients. A second audit was performed to assess the impact of the guidelines on liver resection rates. ⋯ Introduction of a referral protocol standardised resection rates from the four district hospitals, but these remain lower compared to the specialist centre. The wide-spread adoption of a policy to discuss all patients with liver metastases at an advanced disease multidisciplinary team meeting, in the presence of hepatobiliary specialists, may further increase resection rates across the UK.