Historical perspective: Two decades of progress in treating metastatic colorectal cancer

J Surg Oncol. 2019 Apr;119(5):549-563. doi: 10.1002/jso.25431. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. While screening methods strive to improve rates of early stage detection, 25% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, with the most common sites being the liver, lung, and peritoneum. While once perceived as hopeless, the last two decades have seen substantial strides in the medical, surgical, and regional therapies to treat metastatic disease offering significant improvements in survival.

Keywords: liver metastases colorectal cancer; metastatic colorectal cancer; peritoneal metastases colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / therapy