Debate continues regarding the benefit of primary tumour resection for patients with asymptomatic metastatic colorectal cancer; the largest observational study conducted to date has demonstrated prolonged survival, but was probably subject to biases, and data from previous meta-analyses of observational data are contradictory. The results of two ongoing randomized trials are eagerly awaited. In the meantime, treatment should be directed at symptom palliation.
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van de Velde, C. Palliative primary tumour resection in mCRC—debate continues. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 12, 129–130 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2015.7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2015.7