Colorectal cancer is the second most common site of cancer for both men and 
women in New Zealand (NZ). Survival, especially with metastatic disease, has 
improved considerably over the last decade with the introduction of new 
chemotherapeutic agents. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to document 
variations in chemotherapy prescription patterns throughout NZ. Out of 25 
medical oncologists, responses were obtained from 22 (88%). The patient with 
stage III colon cancer was offered either 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin, most 
commonly on the weekly bolus schedule, or capecitabine monotherapy. Chemotherapy 
was also offered by the majority (65%) of respondents to the patient with 
'high-risk' stage II colon cancer. Several chemotherapy combinations are 
available in NZ in the metastatic setting, with the most popular being 
oxaliplatin/capecitabine combination (CAPOX) (35%) or irinotecan/5-FU 
combination (FOLFIRI) (23%). None of the respondents would commence chemotherapy 
solely on the basis of a rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Two-thirds of 
respondents would recommend chemotherapy for the patient with resectable liver 
metastases, either before or after surgery. Our survey indicates that 
chemotherapy prescriptions for patients with colon cancer in NZ, though not 
uniform, are mostly in line with international recommendations.