The 8th edition of AJCC cancer staging system will be launched all over the world in January 1, 2018. The major advances in the 8th edition are the introduction of non-anatomic prognostic and predictive factors supported by I(-II( grade evidence based on histopathology and molecular biology, and the improvement of prognostic assessment system based on these factors, including CEA level, cancer retraction score, circumference margin, lymphatic invasion, peripheral nerve invasion, microsatellite instability, KRAS/NRAS gene mutation and BRAF gene mutation. In the background of evidence-based medicine and precise medicine, combination of anatomic staging and non-anatomic classification system is very important for establishing and improving the prognostic and predictive assessment system of colorectal cancer. This will help to assess colorectal cancer staging and grouping much better, evaluate the prognosis, predict individualized efficacy, and promote clinical practice of colorectal cancer from traditional population-based diagnosis and treatment to the precise individualized care.