Summary

• Third most common cancer in the Western world.
• Rare below 40 years of age.
• Symptoms are not specific and occur frequently in benign colorectal conditions.
• Surgical resection is the main curative treatment.
• Combined modality treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, resection of metastases) has increased survival in selected cases.
• Overall 5-year survival is 42% in Europe and 59% in the US.