Summary

According to the most recent estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in Europe, accounting for 432,000 new cases of cancer each year, and it is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in Europe, with 212,000 deaths reported in 2008 [Ferlay J et al. Eur J Cancer 2010]. Worldwide, CRC ranks third in incidence and fourth in mortality.