[Colon carcinoma--1990]

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem in Western industrialized countries. It is estimated that more than a quarter of a million people are affected by this disease each year. The population-adjusted yearly incidence rate has remained constant at approximately 40 to 50 cases per 100,000. About 75% of the individuals with these cancers have a primary surgical resection with hope of complete tumor eradication. Despite the high resectability rate and a general improvement in surgical therapy, nearly half of all patients with colorectal cancer still die of metastatic tumor. Major progress has been made in various aspects of colorectal cancer over the last few years, including molecular biology, screening and adjuvant therapy.