A panel discussion of controversies and challenges in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.
Current issues of adjuvant therapy for colon cancer concern the introduction of drugs other than fluorouracil-5/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), the benefits for stage II patients, the use of new primary endpoints and the influence of age on treatment benefits. These issues were addressed in a panel discussion and the conclusions were the following: FOLFOX4 is the first regimen that shows superiority over 5-FU/LV. The use of 3-year disease-free survival as primary endpoint could encourage the quicker adoption of improved therapeutic strategies into clinical practice. Available data suggest that there are some benefits for stage II patients, and the decision needs to be individualised for each patient. Further, therapeutic decisions based solely on the patient's age are inappropriate, and geriatric assessment tools will help in making this decision. This information would improve patient and physician understanding of the recent data regarding the potential benefits of adjuvant therapy.
Díaz-Rubio García
Eduardo
E
Service of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid 28040, Spain. ediazrubio.hcsc@salud.madrid.org
Abad Esteve
Albert
A
Antón Torres
Antonio
A
Aranda Aguilar
Enrique
E
Benavides Orgaz
Manuel
M
Carrato Mena
Alfredo
A
Cervantes Ruipérez
Andrés
A
Feliu Batle
Jaime
J
García Alfonso
Pilar
P
García Foncillas
Jesús
J
Grávalos Castro
Cristina
C
Navarro García
Matilde
M
Rivera Herrero
Fernando
F
Tabernero Caturla
José María
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans