5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administered in several schedules since its introduction in 1957 continues to be an integral part of standard first-line therapy for colorectal cancer. Continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion appears to yield improved response rate and overall survival, with fewer adverse effects compared with i.v. bolus dosing. However, these protracted infusions require portable infusion pumps and central venous lines, which are associated with complications (i.e. increased risk of infection and clotting and/or dislodgement of the catheter, increased risk of venous thrombosis). Colorectal carcinoma is the second cause of death for tumour after lung cancer. About 70% of cases occur over 65 years and 50% or more affects people over 70. In clinical research age was a common exclusion criteria and little information is available about the efficacy, safety and toxicity of chemotherapy in elderly patients because few studies focused on the treatment of cancer in that part of population. The goal of this article is to review the literature concerning the treatment of elderly patients with UFT, an orally administered dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitory fluoropyrimidine.