New depths: exploring the current landscape of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), a cancer of the large intestine and rectum, has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates, with incidences expected to nearly double in the next 25 years. The development of CRC may be caused by a collection of mutations via the chromosomal instability pathway, which results in approximately 70% of sporadic CRC cases, or the microsatellite instability pathway. At the same time, there are various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that increase one's chances of developing a CRC causing mutation via these pathways. There are three widely used treatments for CRC: surgical resection, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Surgical resection remains the standard for CRC that has not metastasized with various options available such as open surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery. In recent years, there has also been a plethora of new research into chemotherapies and immunotherapies as important treatments for metastatic or complicated CRC cases. In this review, we highlight the pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatments for CRC, while also providing a short summary of the diagnosis. Such a study will be helpful for clinicians to better manage patients with CRC.