Colorectal cancer surgery: Current trends and recent innovations

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the recent and possible future developments in the management of adeno-carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis and staging are discussed, together with the impact of neoadjuvant therapy and high-quality surgery on clinical outcomes. Topical issues including the role of super-specialisation and the importance of multidisciplinary teams are highlighted. An overview of laparoscopic and robotically assisted colorectal surgery is presented, with a progress report on emerging technologies such as image-enhanced surgery, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and biological targeting of chemotherapy regimens. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.