Colorectal Cancer with Liver Metastases

“We are in the midst of an era of tremendous breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of colorectal cancer. At City of Hope, our faculty are actively involved in research and are driving some of those breakthroughs. They have deep understanding of and extensive experience with the latest technologies, and our patients benefit from that.”

Yuman Fong, M.D., Sangiacomo Family Chair in Surgical Oncology and chair and professor of the Department of Surgery

City of Hope Offers Synchronous Colectomy and Liver Resection

Approximately half of colorectal cancer patients will develop liver metastases, and up to one-third of diagnoses present with liver metastases.

City of Hope is ranked among the Highest Performing Hospitals for Colon Cancer Surgery by U.S. News & World Report 2023-24

Our City of Hope team takes a highly skilled, multidisciplinary approach. This typically includes complex multiorgan surgery and perioperative systemic therapy, which together help manage the complications of colorectal cancer and liver metastases. Every patient treated for colorectal cancer at City of Hope receives highly individualized care aligned with our patient-centered tradition.

City of Hope's colorectal cancer survival rates are higher than average, according to National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). We are also one of only a few centers in the nation treating colorectal cancer at every stage of the disease and have received national recognition as a high performing hospital for colon cancer surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery for Multiorgan Resection and Combination Therapy

Most hospitals offer a staged set of surgical procedures to treat the complications of colorectal cancer and liver metastases. This means that patients often have to undergo colectomy surgery separately from liver resection. At City of Hope, we have extensive experience in performing combined, synchronous colorectal cancer and liver resection, which improves patients’ quality of life during treatment. Benefits include:

  • Shorter procedure time
  • A shorter hospital stay, with faster recovery
  • A faster transition from surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy

Our care teams, which include anorectal and sphincter reconstruction experts, strive to preserve the sphincter and avoid a permanent colostomy or ileostomy whenever possible. As a comprehensive cancer center, City of Hope is one of only a handful of U.S. centers with experience in constructing and managing a continent ileostomy.

Genetic Testing

Our patients also have access to comprehensive germline testing, regardless of medical or family history. This involves analyzing suitable tumor samples using ultra-comprehensive, whole-exome and whole-transcriptome tumor sequencing with a best-in-class test for somatic mutations.

This state-of-the-art molecular profiling often yields vital information to guide treatment and can uncover familial syndromes (e.g., Lynch syndrome).

Access to Investigational Treatments

When you come for treatment at City of Hope, you have access to our leading-edge investigational therapies and surgical approaches. Enrolling greater than 800 clinical trials annually, our faculty members are leaders in translational research and committed to expediting the most promising treatments to their patients.

Learn about our clinical trials

Our Synchronous Colectomy and Liver Resection Team
Colorectal Surgeons
Andreas M. Kaiser, M.D., colorectal surgeon, Duarte, City of Hope
Andreas M. Kaiser, M.D.
Colorectal Surgeon
Duarte - Main Campus

Andreas M. Kaiser, M.D., professor and chief, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, specializes in colorectal diseases.

Lily Lau Lai, Surgical Oncologist
Lily Lau Lai, M.D.
Colorectal Surgeon
Duarte - Main Campus

Lily Lai, M.D., is a surgical oncologist and professor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery.

Kurt A. Melstrom, M.D.
Colorectal Surgeon
Duarte - Main Campus; Glendora

Kurt A. Melstrom, M.D., is an associate clinical professor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery.

Yasmin Zerhouni
Yasmin Zerhouni, M.D.
Colorectal Surgeon
Duarte - Main Campus; South Pasadena; Arcadia

Yasmin Zerhouni, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery.

Liver Surgeons
Yuman Fong, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Duarte - Main Campus

Yuman Fong, M.D., is an internationally recognized expert in cancer of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. He has led the research effort to employ genetically modified viruses to destroy cancer cells.

Dr. Laleh Melstrom, M.D., M.S.
Laleh Melstrom, M.D., M.S.
Surgical Oncologist
Duarte - Main Campus

Laleh G. Melstrom, M.D., M.S., specializes in melanoma and pancreatic cancers.

Gagandeep Singh profile
Gagandeep Singh, M.D.
Liver and Pancreatic Surgeon
Duarte - Main Campus

Gagandeep Singh, M.D., is an internationally recognized liver and pancreas surgeon. He is the surgical director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program.