An analysis of chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma.

Five-fluorouracil (5-FU) has become the standard chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma. It has been used as a single agent and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of advanced disease. Conflicting experiences have been reported with all these therapeutic programs and a review of these studies reveals failure to take into consideration the factors determining survival and response. These factors consist of performance status, weight loss, hepatomegaly, previous chemotherapy treatment, prior radiotherapy treatment, and resected versus unresected primaries. The purpose of this study is to examine the various claims for therapeutic efficacy of drugs used in all stages of colorectal carcinoma. This will consist of a review of single agent systemic chemotherapy for advanced colorectal carcinoma, combination chemotherapy for advanced colorectal carcinoma, regional infusion, and adjuvant chemotherapy following curative resection.