What Are the Treatments for Advanced Rectal Cancer With Liver Metastasized?

Rectal cancer is a disease characterized by the growth of malignant cells inside the rectum. Several treatments are available for advanced cases of the disease that have spread (metastasized or mets) to the liver.

Main Treatments

• The National Cancer Institute cites potential treatments for liver metastasis of rectal cancer that include systemic or local chemotherapy, surgical removal of the tumor with or without prior chemotherapy and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy).

Brachytherapy

• During brachytherapy, doctors temporarily implant radioactive material at the site of the cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. This local implantation provides the possibility of applying higher doses of radiation that have fewer side effects on surrounding tissue.

Limits of Surgery

• Surgical removal of large or numerous metastasized liver tumors may not prove possible, reports the American Cancer Society. In these circumstances, doctors may choose from a number of additional nonsurgical options to destroy them.

Nonsurgical Options

• The American Cancer Society cites additional nonsurgical methods of destroying metastasized liver tumors that include laser vaporization (photocoagulation), heat application (radiofrequency ablation) and freezing.

Considerations

• Treatment frequently fails to cure metastasized rectal cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.