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Metastatic Colon Cancer

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Metastatic colo-rectal cancer: Like other adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract (gastric, pancreas), colo-rectal adenocarcinomas have a tendency to metastasize to the liver. Liver is often the only site of metastatic spread in many cases.

FNA smears often show dirty, necrotic background. Some cases are predominantly mucinous and show clusters of malignant cells floating in viscous mucin on FNA smears.

Needle core biopsy specimens show moderate-to-poorly differentiated glands with abundant central necrosis. Mucinous carcinomas show malignant glands clinging to stroma and accompanied by pools of mucin.This photograph shows metastatic colon adenocarcinoma in liver in an elderly female.

Treatment: Patients with isolated liver metastases from colo-rectal cancers derive long-term disease-free survival (5-yr survival rate in 50%) or even cure (20% of cases) from metastasectomy. The goal is complete tumor extirpation with negative margins. Patient who are unable to tolerate or refuse surgery may be offered radiofrequency ablation of tumor.

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