SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONSSpecific palliative treatment for disseminated colorectal cancer is relatively ineffective, in terms of objective response rate. The highest response rates are at the moment obtained with combination drug regimes including 5FU and a nitrosourea, but prolongation of survival has not been definitely demonstrated. Adjuvant chemotherapy with 5FU has not been shown to improve survival in high risk patients with localized disease. However further trials with drug combinations +/‐ immunotherapy are indicated in this patient group. In such studies of adjuvant therapy, there should be an untreated control group.Ultimately future advances in the treatment of large bowel cancer will require the development of new, more active chemotherapeutic agents and more effective comb inat ion