Preface to the current status of colorectal cancer surgery

Over the past decade, colorectal cancer surgery has continued to evolve at rapid rates with numerous publications in various areas. In this issue, we decide to give a brief and yet broad spectrum of pertinent update in the field of colorectal cancer surgery.

Dr. Sunny Wong first seek to highlight the importance of genomics and metagenomics of colorectal cancer and how it influences its management. Following which, Dr. KY Tan touched on the increasing topic of managing elderly with colorectal cancer. The role of advanced minimally and maximally invasive techniques in colorectal cancer is also discussed by Dr. CC Chen, Dr. Takashi Akiyoshi, Dr. Peter Lee, Dr. SH Kim, Dr. Frederick Koh and Dr. BS Min. We then proceed to make sense of the complex and yet integral fields of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and dealing with liver metastasis. Last but not least, the management of emergency colorectal conditions such as intestinal obstruction and anastomotic leak are also elaborated.

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The author is accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Ker-Kan Tan