Impact of ALPPS on colorectal tumor growth

ALPPS induces an unprecedented liver hypertrophy and enables resection of primarily unresectable liver tumors. However the effect of ALPPS on tumor proliferation remains a concern. Indeed micrometastases in the FLR might likewise be affected by the proliferative stimulus induced by ALPPS. Observations in a mouse model do not indicate increased intra hepatic or pulmonary tumor growth after ALPPS as compared with portal vein ligation (PVL) or sham controls. In human, knowledge about tumor growth after ALPPS stage 1 in the FLR is lacking, as this is a rare scenario and cleaning of the FLR is routinely performed.