Current medical treatment of colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and lethal malignancies in developed countries. Over the past years, substantial advances have been made in the treatment of patients with both localised and metastatic disease. Growing evidence supports the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced colon cancer, however currently it can not be routinely recommended. The shortened duration of adjuvant chemotherapy in low risk, stage III disease has led to fewer side effects but did not compromise efficacy. Incorporation of predictive biomarkers into therapy selection has significantly improved leading to new treatment standards in metastatic disease. This review aimed to provide an update on recent advances in the systemic treatment of colon cancer.