Al Kamzari Khalid Ali Mohammed, Constantinou Constantina
Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 21 Ilia Papakyriakou, P.O. Box 24005, Engomi, Nicosia, 2414, CY-1700, Cyprus.
Curr Oncol Rep. 2025 Aug 9. doi: 10.1007/s11912-025-01707-w.
Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. It typically develops over years through the progression of benign polyps to malignancy, driven by genetic alterations-either spontaneous or inherited. This review summarizes current knowledge on colorectal cancer, including its epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic methods, treatment strategies, preventative measures, and research developments, while identifying knowledge gaps to guide future studies.
Colorectal cancer is influenced by numerous lifestyle-related risk factors, such as high-calorie diets, processed foods, red meat, smoking, obesity, and alcohol use. Colonoscopy, imaging tests, and biopsies remain essential for diagnosis, while the TNM staging system continues to guide therapeutic decisions. Treatment options range from early-stage surgical interventions to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies in advanced stages, with neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments offering improved outcomes. Experimental therapies, including regorafenib and cancer vaccines, are under investigation. Prevention strategies focus on healthy lifestyles and risk avoidance, alongside screening techniques including fecal occult blood tests, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy. Screening programs emphasize individuals with genetic susceptibility, and clinical trials aim to enhance both screening and therapeutic approaches. Colorectal cancer poses a substantial global health challenge. Advances in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention are promising, but further research is needed to improve management strategies and address gaps in screening. Lifestyle changes and early detection through targeted screening remain critical for reducing the disease burden worldwide.
结直肠癌是全球第三大常见癌症，也是癌症相关死亡的第二大主要原因。它通常在数年时间里由良性息肉通过遗传改变（自发或遗传）进展为恶性肿瘤而发展形成。本综述总结了结直肠癌的现有知识，包括其流行病学、危险因素、诊断方法、治疗策略、预防措施和研究进展，同时找出知识空白以指导未来研究。
结直肠癌受多种与生活方式相关的危险因素影响，如高热量饮食、加工食品、红肉、吸烟、肥胖和饮酒。结肠镜检查、影像学检查和活检仍是诊断的关键，而TNM分期系统继续指导治疗决策。治疗选择从早期手术干预到晚期的化疗、放疗和靶向治疗，新辅助治疗和辅助治疗可改善预后。包括瑞戈非尼和癌症疫苗在内的实验性疗法正在研究中。预防策略侧重于健康的生活方式和风险规避，同时包括粪便潜血试验、结肠镜检查和乙状结肠镜检查等筛查技术。筛查项目重点关注具有遗传易感性的个体，临床试验旨在加强筛查和治疗方法。结直肠癌对全球健康构成重大挑战。诊断、治疗和预防方面的进展前景良好，但仍需要进一步研究以改进管理策略并填补筛查方面的空白。通过有针对性的筛查进行生活方式改变和早期发现对于减轻全球疾病负担仍然至关重要。
