Metastatic disease involving the liver represents one of the most common problems in oncology. The liver provides a fertile soil for metastases, not only due to its dual blood supply from both systemic and splanchnic systems, but also because of the presence of humoral factors promoting cell growth, and the discontinuous nature of the endothelial lining of the hepatic sinusoid allowing open communication with the extracellular space of Disse.<sup>6 Baker M.E., Pelley R. Hepatic metastases: Basic principles and implications for radiologists Radiology 1995 ;  197 : 329-337

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The liver is second only to regional lymph nodes as a site of metastatic disease. The true prevalence of metastatic disease is unknown, because most figures are based on autopsy series that reflect the end stage of a disease process, but between 30% and 70% (depending on the primary tumor) of patients who die of cancer have liver metastases at autopsy.<sup>31 Gilbert H.A., Kagan A.R. Metastases: Incidence, detec tion and evaluation without histological confirma tion Fundamental Aspects of Metas tasis Amsterdam, The Netherlands: North-Holland (1976).  385-405

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Although the presence of liver metastases is never a good prognostic indicator, the use of more aggressive treatment regimes in certain patient subsets can result in a favorable outcome.<sup>6 Baker M.E., Pelley R. Hepatic metastases: Basic principles and implications for radiologists Radiology 1995 ;  197 : 329-337

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Developments in imaging techniques, notably ultrasound, CT scan, and MR imaging, occurring over the last two decades have dramatically increased our ability to detect and characterize focal liver lesions, and have seen the liver become the primary focus of interest in abdominal imaging.