A retrospective non interventional study on first line treatment for patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) (CAPSTAN CRC)

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women worldwide with an estimated 1.4 million cases and 694,000 deaths in 2012; the majority of cases happen in the developed countries. When people are first diagnosed with colorectal cancer, about 1 in 4 already have cancer that has spread to other parts of the body: this is called metastatic disease. After the initial diagnosis, about 1 in 2 people will eventually have their cancer spread to other areas.
Around 10% of people with colorectal cancer have a change in their DNA called the BRAF mutation. When the BRAF gene is mutated, it produces an over-active BRAF protein that tells the cells to continuously grow and divide, leading to cancer. The way colorectal cancer is treated can be different depending on where you are: local practices and guidelines influence how doctors decide on the best treatment options.
There is a gap in information about how doctors currently treat people with metastatic colorectal cancer who have the BRAFV600E mutation. It is important to record how effective and safe these treatments are when used in everyday life.
This study looks at how doctors diagnose and treat people living with metastatic colorectal cancer with BRAFV600E mutation. It aims to describe the treatments commonly used and how well these treatments work.