A Review of Controversies in the Management of Colorectal Cancers

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Due to a higher incidence of CRC in the western hemisphere a significant amount of research was carried out and majority of the controversies could be resolved as far as management of CRC is concerned. Recently a number of significant advances were made in the field of CRC related to surgery, systemic therapy and radiotherapy. During the last decade we have witnessed introduction of minimally invasive surgery, incorporation of more effective newer chemotherapeutic regimes and targeted therapies and refinements in radiotherapy protocols. The demographics and clinical picture of CRC seems to be different in developing countries and there is paucity of CRC related studies from developing countries. In-order to update the practicing surgeons a review of conventional controversies of CRC surgery was performed and an update on the recent developments in the field of CRC was also presented in this article. © 2012 Association of Surgeons of India.