Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer

Background: Like no other disease, colorectal cancer has become the poster child for optimal interdisciplinary collaboration of surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation therapists. Methods: In this article, we present the current state-of-the-art treatment of non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Results: Since the implementation of adjuvant chemotherapy it has become possible to significantly improve PFS and OS in locally advanced colon cancer. Disease-free survival, on the other hand, is considerably improved when treated with chemoradiation in a neoadjuvant fashion. Conclusions: The prognosis of colorectal cancer is dependent on a multidisciplinary approach employing state-of-the-art adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment.