[Staging of colorectal cancer with the aim of optimal treatment]

Staging of colorectal cancer has become important with respect to selection of patients for minor surgery, major surgery and adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. The most important treatment is still surgical, but the prognosis can be improved in some patients with adjuvant treatment, even though it involves more side-effects. Exact staging is necessary in order to avoid overtreatment of some and undertreatment of others. This article critically reviews the staging systems used at present.