Zhou et al. BMC Cancer 2011, 11:494 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/11/494 recovery and reduced hospitalization, the use of laparo- scopy in the Fast-track perioperative treatment could be considered again and the extra cost by laparoscopic appliance using may save. The LAFA-trial which is now being conducted in the Netherlands has combined laparoscopy with fast track perioperative care, which will provide the merits of fast track perioperative care and laparoscopic colectomy [36]. Additionally, in this FTMDT trial the perioperative treatment of enhanced recovery for colorectal cancer treatment has the similar principle to the ERAS Group or LAFA Group [12,36], but involves the chemotherapy into study and also has a different definition for Fast track treatment. In this FTMDT trial, the notion of Fast Track treatment, is not only limited to the perioperative care but extended to the entirety of the colorectal can- cer treatment, involving surgery, the perioperative treat- ment and the adjuvant chemotherapy. Correspondingly, the short-term superiority of the laparoscopic surgery and fast-track perioperative treatment, the long-term superiority of Xelox chemotherapy, may integrate together. Thereby, this FTMDT model covers the whole colorectal cancer treatment periods, makes it possible to achieve the whole process enhanced recovery and bring the economic benefits synonymously. Concretely, at least 3 aspects of the advantage for the “Fast Track Multi-Discipline Treatment” Model are expected: 1. The whole process enhanced recovery: The FTMDT model itself covers the entire treatment pro- cesses for colorectal cancer. The patients who receive the laparoscopic surgery, fast-track perioperative treat- ment have enhanced short-term recovery, and can enter the chemotherapy earlier with good physical condition, and can also further earn the life quality benefits from the Xelox chemotherapy. 2. The economic benefits: The FTMDT model can substantially reduce the hospitaliza- tion stay because of enhanced recovery and convenient Xelox chemotherapy bring. The medical resources can be saved and the medical cost for colorectal cancer may decline as the result of decreased hospitalization stay. Moreover, Winterhalder reported Xelox is cost saving versus Folfox4, presenting the economic benefits of Xelox chemotherapy [37]. 3. The strengthened confi- dence of patients: The patients in the Fast Track Multi- Discipline Treatment arm earn the enhanced recovery, higher life quality, shorter hospital stay and the lighter economic burden, making patients the firmer faith against cancer and confidence for the further life. In summary, this FTMDT trial gives insights into the potential merits and feasibility of the “Fast Track Multi- Discipline Treatment” model. A new guideline of whole process enhanced recovery treatment for colorectal can- cer will be established according to the FTMDT model. This model will create another effective treatment Page 9 of 10 pathway, bring economic benefits, and make the color- ectal cancer treatment cost-saving and efficacy-gaining. Acknowledgements and funding This trial is supported by the foundation of Science and Technology Department, Zhejiang, China (Grant No. 2009C13017). The Design of the study was approved by the Science and Technology Department, Zhejiang, China, and all it does to the study is the funding support Author details 1Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, and The Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, 88 Jie-Fang Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China. 2Department of Anorectum, People’s Hospital of Shaoxing, 568 Zhong-Xing North Rd, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China. 3Department of Anus and Large Intestine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medicine College, 109 Xue-Yuan West Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. 4Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, 88 Jie-Fang Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China. Authors’ contributions KFD initiated and coordinated the study. KFD, JJZ and JL drafted the manuscript and took part in conducting the study and supervised the intervention. KFD, XJY, YMS and RC are responsible for the patient surgical treatment. MY and GC provide anesthesia treatment. All the authors have read and approved this final version of the manuscript. Authors’ information The principal investigator Prof. Ke-Feng Ding(MD/PhD) is director of the Surgical Oncology Department, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China. He is the PhD/MD supervisor of Zhejiang University. Dr. Ding currently serves as the member of Chinese Society of Oncology, the member and secretary of the Committee Colorectal Cancer, CACA, and the member of the Committee of Tumor Metastasis, CACA. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Received: 16 May 2011 Accepted: 24 November 2011 Published: 24 November 2011 References 1. 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