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Advances in the management of colorectal cancer: from biology to treatment

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Abstract

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This article reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and prognosis of CRC with special emphasis on advances in the management of CRC over the past decade.

Methods

A review of the published English literature was conducted using the search engines PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. A total of 127 relevant publications were identified for further review.

Results

Most CRC are sporadic and are due to genetic instability and multiple somatic mutations. Approximately 80 % of cancers are diagnosed at the early stage and are curable. The pathologic stage at presentation is the most important predictor of outcome after resection of early stage cancer. Surgery is the primary treatment modality for localized CRC. Advances in (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation have reduced the disease recurrence and increased survival in high risk diseases. Although recent advancements in combination chemotherapy and target agents have increased the survival of incurable CRC, it is remarkable that only selected patients with advanced CRC can be cured with multimodality therapy.

Conclusion

Over the past decade, there has seen substantial progress in our understanding of and in the management of CRC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Regina, SK, Canada

    Shahid Ahmed & Nayyer Iqbal

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Shahid Ahmed, Kate Johnson, Osama Ahmed & Nayyer Iqbal

  3. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Shahid Ahmed

  4. Saskatoon Cancer Center, University of Saskatchewan, 20 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 4H4

    Shahid Ahmed

Authors
  1. Shahid Ahmed
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  2. Kate Johnson
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  3. Osama Ahmed
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  4. Nayyer Iqbal
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Correspondence to Shahid Ahmed.

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O. Ahmed and K. Johnson made equal contribution to this work

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Ahmed, S., Johnson, K., Ahmed, O. et al. Advances in the management of colorectal cancer: from biology to treatment. Int J Colorectal Dis 29, 1031–1042 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-014-1928-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-014-1928-5

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