Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Education

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is cancer of the large intestine, which is made up of the colon and rectum. These cancers can also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start.¹ CRC is the third most common cancer worldwide, with about 1 in 10 cancer cases and deaths, as of 2020.² CRC is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortalities.² By 2030, CRC is expected to increase by 60%, to over 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths globally.³ With the global incidence of CRC on the rise, treatment advancements in efficacy and tolerability are vital.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) can also be referred to as advanced colon cancer or stage 4 colon cancer.⁴ Metastases – cancer cells that break away from the original tumor, spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system and form new tumors on different organs – are the main cause of CRC-related mortality. ^5,6 mCRC is a highly heterogeneous disease, meaning the disease can affect each patient differently. Given this, there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach for treatment. Treatment planning and sequencing is critical to ensure patients have the chance to receive all available treatment options.⁷