[Evidence-based surgical management for early colon cancer]

In recent years, the incidence of early colon cancer (ECC) in China showed a rising trend. Accurate definition of ECC is of great significance for disease assessment, treatment decision-making and prognosis judgment. Although endoscopic resection has become an option in the treatment of ECC, surgical intervention is still needed for tumor residue and high risk pT1 tumors in order to prevent recurrence and metastasis. There is no consensus on indication, timing, radical resection range and tumor location of ECC surgery. The innovation of laparoscopic surgical techniques strongly promoted the progress of ECC minimally invasive surgery. Postoperative follow-up should be systematic, standardized and individualized, based on the stratification of ECC recurrence risk factors.