Review article

Systemic treatment of colorectal cancer

Robert Šeparović ; Deparment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Tajana Silovski ; Deparment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirjana Pavlović ; Deparment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ljubica Vazdar ; Deparment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Pavlica ; Oncology Pharmacy Department, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer. In this article treatment protocols for colon cancer are disscussed, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for resectable disease and chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Surgery is the only curative modality for localized colorectal cancer (stage I-III). Adjuvant chemotherapy is standard for patients with stage III disease. It’s use in stage II disease is controversial, with ongoing studies
seeking to confirm which markers might identify patients who would benefit. Surgical resection potentially provides the only curative option for patients with limited metastatic disease in liver and/or lung (stage IV disease). Chemotherapy rather than surgery is the standard management for metastatic disease. Biologic agents have a role in the treatment of metastatic disease, with selection increasingly guided by genetic analysis of the tumor.

Keywords

colorectal cancer; systemic therapy; adjuvant therapy; neoadjuvant therapy

Hrčak ID:

200575

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/200575

Publication date:

27.12.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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