ASO Author Reflections: Patterns of Metastases in Patients with Obstructing Colorectal Cancer

Excerpt

Patients with acute obstructing colorectal cancer (CRC) have increased 30-day mortality and morbidity.1^,2 Acute obstruction in colon cancer is known to be a risk factor for recurrent disease.3 Common metastatic sites in CRC are the liver, followed by the lung, peritoneum, bone, and brain.4 However, little is known about the patterns of metastases in patients with acute obstructing CRC. In analyses, patients with acute obstructing CRC often are excluded or merged with patients who have no obstruction. By studying patients with obstructing CRC and metastases, the authors hoped to get a more thorough understanding of metastatic patterns, possibly leading to differences in management or follow-up evaluation of patients with acute obstructing CRC and thereby to improvement of survival for patients with obstructing CRC. …