title: Future directions for monitoring treatment response in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Treatment of advanced colon and rectal cancer has significantly evolved with the introduction of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy so much that, along with more effective chemotherapy regimens, surgery has been considered unnecessary among some institutions for select patients. The tumor response to these treatments has also improved and ultimately has been shown to have a direct effect on prognosis. Yet, the best way to monitor that response, whether clinically, radiologically, or with laboratory findings, remains controversial. The authors' aim is to briefly review the options available and, more importantly, examine emerging and future options to assist in monitoring treatment response in cases of locally advanced rectal cancer and metastatic colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Dr., Fort Lewis, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Avery S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Dr., Fort Lewis, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Zwintscher
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Dr., Fort Lewis, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: 2. University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Justin A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Maykel
authors.affiliation: 3. Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stojadinovic
authors.affiliation: 4. Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Aviram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nissan
authors.affiliation: 5. Bon Secours Cancer Institute, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Avital
authors.affiliation: 5. Bon Secours Cancer Institute, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Björn Ldm
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Brücher
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Dr., Fort Lewis, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Steele
keywords: Colorectal cancer; biomarkers; imaging modalities; response; surgical timing; watch and wait