title: Introduction to colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), including current treatment strategies for various stages of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research articles and textbooks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite screening methods for early detection of CRC, many patients present with late-stage disease and have a poor prognosis. The approval of irinotecan for CRC changed the approach to treatment, and there are numerous agents under clinical evaluation that may soon be available for the management of patients with CRC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent advances in molecular targeting have led to the development of new treatments for CRC. Because nurses will ultimately administer these agents, it is important to understand how these agents target CRC.
authors.affiliation: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins,  Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009385:Neoplastic Processes; D012307:Risk Factors