Advances in the detection and treatment of colorectal carcinoma

New technologies and ideas are emerging in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The goal of detecting both primary and recurrent disease at an earlier stage remains elusive, but in some cases it may now be attainable. Improvements in surgical technique and instrumentation have led to the utilization of a variety of procedures for treatment, including more conservative operations for colorectal carcinoma detected at an early stage. Active specific immunotherapy using the patient's tumor cells to create a vaccine may improve the rate of survival in a disease for which no adequate adjuvant therapy currently exists. Further basic scientific and clinical research involving diagnostic and treatment modalities for colorectal carcinoma may lead to improved patient survival rates in the future.