Cystic liver metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cystic liver metastases from colorectal cancer are rarely reported. METHODS: Clinicopathological and radiological analyses were performed on six cases of cystic liver metastases from colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Computed tomography or ultrasound findings for the tumors were atypical for metastases of colorectal cancer, and the lesions needed to be differentiated from cystadenocarcinoma and benign tumors. The histological findings were peculiar: the central portions of the tumors contained necrotic tissue or areas of hemorrhage, and adenocarcinoma cells were found predominantly outside well-developed fibrous capsules. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathological observations suggested that these metastatic tumors had the potential to grow rapidly, but, unexpectedly, the patients had favorable prognoses.