ABSTRACT
Colon and rectal cancer is an extremely prevalent malignancy worldwide. Approximately one million new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed yearly and account for nearly 529,000 deaths worldwide (1). In the United States, colorectal cancer represented the third highest ranked malignancy in both incidence and mortality. It represented an estimated 22% of all new cancer cases (with an estimated 147,000 new cases) and an estimated 20% of all cancer deaths (an estimated 56,730 deaths) (2). The mainstay curative treatment for both colon and rectal cancer is surgical resection. We will review evidence-based data regarding surgical applications to both disease processes including recent studies relating to the laparoscopic techniques, extent of resection, preoperative radiation/chemotherapy treatment, total mesorectal excision (TME), types of anastomoses, and follow-up regimens.
