title: Present status and perspectives of colorectal cancer in Asia: Colorectal Cancer Working Group report in 30th Asia-Pacific Cancer Conference.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To reveal the present status and future directions of colorectal cancer in Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Working Group consisted of oncologists from six Asian countries (Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Philippines) discussed colorectal cancer in the 30th Asia-Pacific Cancer Conference and made a consensus report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing rapidly in recent decades, and mortality has also increased except in Japan and Singapore. Colorectal screening with fecal occult blood tests is a national policy in Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Total colonoscopy is the most common examination for diagnosing colorectal cancers and neoplasms. However, there are differences in the macroscopic classification used. Laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer is extensively used, although the indication varies. Adequate lymph node harvesting of more than 12 nodes is performed in most countries. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy is not routinely done for T2 or T3 rectal cancer. Total mesorectal excision is the standard surgery for rectal cancer. Survival rate data are unavailable for many countries and should be compiled in all. The differences in the health-care delivery systems affect the treatment choices for unresectable colorectal cancer. Infusional 5-FU plus leucovorin plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) is the most popular first-line regimen. Cetuximab is mainly used as a second- or third-line regimen with reference to k-ras mutation. Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy is commonly used for stage III disease, whereas the clinical practice for stage II disease varies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further clinical cooperation is needed to optimize the management of colorectal cancer in Asia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. ihyodo@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ichinosuke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hyodo
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Han-Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Nam Kyu
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villalon
authors.forename: Narikazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boku
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans