title: A panel discussion of controversies and challenges in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Service of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid 28040, Spain. ediazrubio.hcsc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Díaz-Rubio García
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abad Esteve
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antón Torres
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aranda Aguilar
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benavides Orgaz
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carrato Mena
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cervantes Ruipérez
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feliu Batle
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García Alfonso
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García Foncillas
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grávalos Castro
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navarro García
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivera Herrero
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tabernero Caturla
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans