A REVIEW ON COLORECTAL CANCER MANAGEMENT IN THE ERA OF PRECISION MEDICINE

Mahesh Kumar N.*, Priya A, Dr. Shachindra L. Nargund, Dr. V. Murugan

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a major global health concern, ranking among the top causes of cancer morbidity and mortality. Although advances in early detection, surgical techniques, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies have improved outcomes, therapeutic resistance and tumor heterogeneity remain significant barriers. Precision medicine driven by molecular profiling, next-generation sequencing, liquid biopsy technologies, and patient-specific treatment strategy is reshaping CRC management. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC progression, highlights diagnostic approaches including genomics and biomarker testing, and evaluates conventional as well as targeted therapies. Furthermore, it discusses emerging concepts such as immunotherapy, nanomedicine and artificial intelligence, which hold promise for more personalized and effective interventions in the precision oncology era.