The field of coloproctology covers the treatment of both benign and cancerous disease of the colon, rectum and anus. Significant recent developments in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer include the development of minimally invasive techniques for colorectal resections and the use of stenting for obstructed patients. The introduction of widespread screening aims to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. Developments in chemotherapy and radiotherapy have also complimented surgical advances towards this disease. There have also been changes in the treatment of benign disease such as diverticular disease, haemorrhoids and anal fissures with a trend towards less invasive surgical techniques.