title: Improving outcomes in colorectal cancer: where do we go from here?
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) places a considerable burden on individuals and society in Europe, being the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the region. While earlier diagnosis and advances in treatment have considerably improved survival in recent years, further progress is needed. One of the greatest challenges associated with the treatment of CRC is the fact that current therapies for advanced disease are not curative, necessitating treatment for many years and placing a significant healthcare burden on society. To reduce the burden of CRC, care delivery must be more efficient and cost-effective. In particular, development of adequate screening programmes is needed, along with chemo-preventative strategies and newer, more active therapies. Further challenges include the lack of optimal selection of patients for adjuvant therapy, identification of the most appropriate target populations for current treatments and the optimum sequence for new molecular targeted agents. This article outlines current developments and unmet needs in CRC, and provides a detailed vision for improvements in the management of the disease. Implementation of some of these strategies will go some way to improving outcomes for patients with CRC.
authors: University Hospitals Leuven and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Van Cutsem
authors: University of Barcelona (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Josep Maria
authors: JM
authors: Borràs
authors: Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Castells
authors: Division of Medical Oncology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Fortunato
authors: F
authors: Ciardiello
authors: Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Ducreux
authors: Kings College Hospital, London, UK.
authors: Asif
authors: A
authors: Haq
authors: Department of Oncology/Haematology, Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany.
authors: Hans-Joachim
authors: HJ
authors: Schmoll
authors: Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jtabernero@vhio.net.
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Tabernero
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor