Résumé
Metastatic disease is present at diagnosis in 30% of the patients with colorectal cancer [CRC], and approximately half of early-stage patients with CRC will eventually present with metastatic disease. Until recently, few chemotherapy options were available to treat metastatic colorectal carcinoma [MCRC]. Fluorouracil [5-FU] with leucovorin [LV] modulation has a marginal but positive effect on survival in those patients. The recent incorporation of irinotecan [CPT-11] and oxaliplatin for the management of advanced CRC has generated further improvement in survival. The development of oral fluoropyrimidines, mimicking continuous infusion 5-FU, is convenient to use. Recently completed or ongoing clinical trials to study novel targeting agents have initiated a new era of drug development. Anti-angiogenesis drugs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and epidermal growth factor blockers are among the new generation of agents