The laparoscopic approach to the treatment of colon and rectal cancer was controversial long after it was accepted for benign conditions. Laparoscopic cancer resection should meet appropriate oncologic standards and achieve a long-term oncologic outcome at least equivalent to that of open resection. Several international randomized controlled trials have provided adequate data to ascertain the oncologic quality of laparoscopic colon resection, showing a benefit in short-term outcome over open resection. The use of laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer is awaiting further investigation.