Background: There are a number of effective substances available for palliative treatment of colorectal cancer, contributing to a considerable extension of the median survival time either purely medically or by increasing the chance of secondary resectability through improved effectiveness of the administered drugs. PATIENTS / MATERIAL: Defining treatment depending on predominant patient characteristics remains crucial for any therapeutic success. This requires interdisciplinary co-ordination within tumour boards.
Methods: In aggressive tumours a therapeutic approach inducing high response rates is favoured, usually including a triple or quadruple combination incl. antibodies. In cases of slow tumour progress and limited patient profile, a sequence of chemotherapy is chosen. Implementing and integrating locally ablative modes of therapy into the treatment strategy can increase the effectiveness additionally. In a best case scenario additional systemic side effects can be avoided resulting in a not insignificant benefit in quality of life.
Results: Further genotyping beyond the K-RAS state is necessary to make predictive and prognostic statements concerning the drugs applied and to avoid ineffectiveness.
Conclusion: Considerable progress has been achieved in the medical therapy for metastasised colorectal cancer. The targeted application of already available as well as recently developed substances requires further evaluation by appropriate studies.
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