Prognostic factors of advanced colorectal cancers

: Prognostic factors have been so far much more extensively studied for resectable colorectal cancers than for advanced colorectal cancers. However, the recent increase in treatment possibilities forces physicians to take into account the prognostic factors of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The prognostic evaluation of these patients is still mostly based on clinical parameters, such as performance status and allocated treatment. More recently, the prognostic role of biological parameters such as p53 gene or enzymes implicated in 5-fluorouracil metabolisms has been identified.