Colon Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and women in the United States. An estimated 112,340 new cases of colon cancer will occur in 2007 and an estimated 52,180 people will die from colon and rectal cancer in the same year. Despite these statistics, mortality from colon cancer has decreased over the past 30 years, possibly because of earlier diagnosis through screening and better treatment modalities. These guidelines begin with the clinical presentation of the patient to the primary care physician or gastroenterologist and address diagnosis, pathologic staging, surgical management, adjuvant treatment, management of recurrent and metastatic disease, and patient surveillance. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org