Surgical Management of Colorectal Cancer Seung Yong Jeong Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. syjeong@snu.ac.kr Abstract In Korea, the incidence of colorectal cancer has rapidly increased in both men and women during recent two decades, and now it is the third most common cancer. Deaths related to colorectal cancer has also rapidly increased. Currently, the fourth most common cause of cancer related death is that originated from colon cancer. Over the past several years, there was a significant improvement in survival of patients who suffered from colorectal cancer and it is partly due to the introduction of newer chemotherapeutic agents such as oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab and cetuximab, and refined radiotherapy which can be delivered preoperatively or postoperatively. However, surgery still remains the only curative modality for early stage colorectal cancer and the principal one for locally advanced colorectal cancer. The goal in surgical treatment for colorectal cancer is to maximize not only the oncologic outcome through performing wide excision of the tumor bearing area and associated lymphatics with attention to the blood supply to that segment, but also to enhance the functional outcomes including preservation of bowel, anorectal and genitourinary function. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of standard strategies in surgical management of colorectal cancer as well as a discussion of some of the important issues pertaining to the surgery. Key Words: Colorectal cancer, Surgery, Oncologic outcome, Functional outcome