Abstract:

Colorectal cancer stem cells are a small part of cell population with features of stem cell in the colorectal cancer tissues. Tumor stem cells have the self-renewal capability and have been considered as the root of tumor recurrence. They play an important role in the development, progression, relapse, metastasis, and resistance to chemoradiotherapy of tumors. The long-term clinical practice has proved that traditional Chinese medicine has particular
advantage on the aspect of resisting tumor recurrence and metastasis. In recent years, with the deep understanding of the theory of colorectal cancer stem
cells, the clinical and basic researches of traditional Chinese medicine compound, single herb and active ingredient become hot spots.

Key words: colorectal cancer stem cells, traditional Chinese medicine, recurrence, metastasis