Current status of colorectal cancer therapy

In 2004, the American Cancer Society estimated that approx 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer would occur in the United States and that more than 57,000 Americans would die of the disease, making it the second most common cause of cancer-related death (1). Despite improvements in screening techniques, 30-40% of patients with colorectal cancer present with locoregionally advanced or metastatic disease and are not candidates for potentially curative therapy. Overall, progress in the surgical and neoadjuvant/adjuvant management of locally confined colorectal cancer has been rapid and very encouraging over the past several years. In addition, median survival in advanced disease has improved almost fourfold, as several new and active salvage systemic agents have emerged and been rapidly integrated into first-line regimens.