Advances in the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer.

Background: There have been numerous advances in the adjuvant therapy of colon cancer in the last two decades.

Methods: This review outlines the historical perspectives of adjuvant treatment as well as current and emerging standards of care.

Results: Although previous regimens included a variety of equivalent schedules of 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid, integration of newer drugs such as oxaliplatin are offering significant improvements in disease-free survival. The use of targeted agents such as bevacuzimab creates the potential to further increase cure rates in the adjuvant setting. The current low rate of referral of eligible patients for chemotherapy in Australia is also discussed.

Conclusion: Adjuvant therapy for colon cancer is making major strides as we attempt to cure more patients.