title: Current protocols and outcomes for colonic cancer: why do we fail?
abstract: As the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, colorectal cancer remains a significant health problem for American men and women. Advances in diagnosis, screening, surgical techniques, and adjuvant therapy have improved survival over the past 30 years. Although most novel therapies are in early stages of development, they offer potential for major advances in the management of colorectal cancer. Continued efforts focused on disease prevention, along with a better understanding of the tumor biology, cancer immunotherapy, and gene therapy will certainly yield more sophisticated and effective treatment strategies for all patients who are either at risk for or have already been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. As increasing numbers of clinicians, scientists, and health care professionals continue to address these issues, better interventions and therapies are likely to emerge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Guleserian
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Bland
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome