The treatment of colorectal carcinoma: standard chemotherapy and beyond

Significant advances in the management of colorectal cancer patients have occurred within the past 5 years. New cytotoxic agents as well as novel targeted therapies have notably prolonged the survival of colorectal cancer patients with advanced disease. Some of these regimens have also been successfully applied to the adjuvant setting. Our improved scientific understanding of colorectal cancer will form the basis for further development of new methods to treat this common malignancy. The introduction of targeted therapeutics into the management of colorectal cancer is likely to extend the overall survival of patients further.