Journal of Digestive Cancer Research 2013; 1(1): 6-16
Published online March 1, 2013
© Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer
common in male and the third in female. Although colonoscopy has been known as the best screening tool for colon cancer, 20-25% of patients with colon cancer was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. During the past 10 years, intensive clinical studies helped to establish the value of palliative treatment for colon cancer with metastasis. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin has led to a significant increase in tumor response and median survival. In advanced colon cancer, impressive prolongation or overall survival can be achieved through sequential application of combined systemic chemotherapy. In addition, targeted manipulation of molecular tumor mechanisms with new substances such as monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor shows promising effects. Progress in the systemic treatment of colon cancer is evident, not only because of the significant increase in life expectancy in advanced colon cancer.
Journal of Digestive Cancer Research 2013; 1(1): 6-16
Published online March 1, 2013
Copyright © Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research.
김 현 건
순천향대학교 의과대학 내과학교실
Hyun Gun Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
common in male and the third in female. Although colonoscopy has been known as the best screening tool for colon cancer, 20-25% of patients with colon cancer was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. During the past 10 years, intensive clinical studies helped to establish the value of palliative treatment for colon cancer with metastasis. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin has led to a significant increase in tumor response and median survival. In advanced colon cancer, impressive prolongation or overall survival can be achieved through sequential application of combined systemic chemotherapy. In addition, targeted manipulation of molecular tumor mechanisms with new substances such as monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor shows promising effects. Progress in the systemic treatment of colon cancer is evident, not only because of the significant increase in life expectancy in advanced colon cancer.
Keywords: Colon cancer, Metastasis, Palliative treatment