NCCN guides to colon and rectal cancer

These resources, developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, provide thorough, systematic guides to colon and rectal cancer, including stages, treatments, and a dictionary of terms. Each guide has been developed by a panel of experts and is regularly updated.

NCCN patient guidelines for colon cancer

NCCN patient guidelines for rectal cancer

Click on the images below to access PDF versions.

CRC 101 →

What do I really need to know?
First week survival guide
Healthcare team roundup
Intro: The Basics
What is colorectal cancer?
Where is my tumor located?
Has my cancer spread?
What is the grade of my tumor?
What is the stage of my tumor?
Is my tumor MSS (pMMR) or MSI-H (dMMR)?
What are biomarkers?
Cancer and my genes
What kind of biomarker tests are available?
What is tumor testing?
What are liquid biopsies?
What is germline testing?
What routine bloodwork will I have done?
What is imaging?
What is a colonoscopy?
What is a CT scan?
What is an MRI?
What is a PET scan?
Conquering scanxiety
What tests might be useful for me?
What are chemotherapy and targeted therapies?
What kinds of drugs are there?
How does chemo fit into my treatment plan?
Ports, PICC lines and pumps
What should I expect with chemotherapy?
FOLFOX/CAPOX: Side effects
FOLFIRI/XELIRI: Side effects
FOLFOXIRI/FOLFIRINOX: Side effects
Lonsurf: Side effects
Stivarga: Side effects
Avastin: Side effects
Erbitux/Vectibix: Side effects
Braftovi: Side effects
What premeds might I receive?
Managing neuropathy and cold sensitivity
Long-term chemo tips and tricks
Questions to ask your oncologist
What is radiation?
What types of radiation are there?
Pelvic radiation: What to expect
Radiation for metastases: What to expect
What side effects might I experience?
Questions to ask your radiation oncologist
What is surgery?
What kinds of surgery are there?
How should I prepare for surgery?
Surgery day: What to expect
What happens after surgery?
What side effects might I experience?
Ostomy surgery: What to expect
Ostomy reversal: What to expect
Questions to ask your surgeon
Diet & lifestyle: Getting started
What should I eat and drink?
How do I maintain a healthy weight?
What should I do for exercise?
What can I do to help my bowel function?
How will my ostomy affect my life?
How do I handle all these new emotions?
How do I travel?
Working with cancer
What if I can't work?
How do I manage cancer and COVID?
How do I maintain a healthy sex life?
Need Help Navigating?
Glossary
NCCN guides to colon and rectal cancer
My CRC biomarkers
Looking for a second opinion?
Chemo cheat sheet
Local therapy cheat sheet

COLONTOWN University has so much more to offer, from DocTalk videos with CRC experts to easy-to-understand biomarker test breakdowns. We’re here for you! See our list of Learning Centers here.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

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