Colorectal Cancer Treatment: Surgical Resection, Chemotherapy with Oxaliplatin, and Bevacizumab Options

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common neoplasms worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all tumor-related deaths. Despite advancements in screening programs, such as preventive colonoscopy, which have reduced incidence and mortality, treatment remains a significant clinical challenge. This article explores current treatment options, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, and biological therapies, which have improved survival rates in recent years.

Diving Deeper into Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment for localized colorectal cancer. However, in cases of systemic disease, a more complex approach is required. Chemotherapy, with agents such as oxaliplatin, is commonly used in combination with other treatments to enhance outcomes. Despite its efficacy, chemotherapy presents significant side effects due to its non-specific cytotoxic nature [1].

In recent years, biological therapies have revolutionized the treatment of colorectal cancer, especially in metastatic cases. The use of targeted agents like bevacizumab, which inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has shown promising results [2]. Additionally, immunotherapy has emerged as a viable option, particularly in tumors with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), although its efficacy is limited to a subset of patients [3].

The combination of targeted therapies and immunotherapies is being explored to improve treatment efficacy. This synergy offers new avenues to address the challenges of colorectal cancer, especially in unresectable or metastatic cases [4].

Conclusions

The treatment of colorectal cancer has evolved significantly, integrating multidisciplinary approaches that combine surgical resection, chemotherapy with agents like oxaliplatin, and biological therapies such as bevacizumab. Despite advancements, the high rate of recurrence and metastasis remains a challenge, underscoring the need for continued research and optimization of therapeutic strategies. Collaboration across disciplines and tailoring treatment according to the molecular characteristics of the tumor are essential for improving patient outcomes.

Referencias

• [1] Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy: Options and Strategies
• [2] Update on Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
• [3] Remodeling of the immune and stromal cell compartment by PD-1 blockade in mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer
• [4] Advancements in combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy for colorectal cancer

Created 6/1/2025