New evidence-based on the management of colorectal guidance
by NZGG
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand and the second most common cause of death from cancer. A new evidence-based guideline Management of Early Colorectal Cancer, along with a pocket summary have been developed by the New Zealand Guidelines Group with funding from the Ministry of Health.
The guideline specifically addresses the management of people with invasive adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum and has been prepared to meet the evidence needs of secondary and tertiary providers of colorectal care. It assumes the patient has already been referred because of suspicious bowel symptoms or has undergone initial testing in primary care. It covers the clinical pathway from preoperative assessment to appropriate intervention and includes recommendations for follow-up. Content includes guidance on elective surgery for colon and rectal cancer, emergency surgery for bowel obstruction, adjuvant therapy, as well as general guidance to facilitate coordinated and patient-centred care.
The summary is designed to be a quick reference to core guidance for use as a 'pocket' copy or as a well-indexed file on an iphone or other mobile device.
Primary care practitioners may find the guideline and the summary useful reference tools, especially in conjunction with the guideline “Suspected Cancer in Primary Care”. They may be particularly interested in the guidance on planned follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer.
This new guideline fits within a broader suite of guidelines and programmes developed to support health professionals to care for people with colorectal cancer in New Zealand. An update of the guideline on surveillance and management of groups at increased risk of colorectal cancer is currently underway.