In a nutshell This study investigated the outcomes of surgery to lung metastasis (LM; cancer spreads to the lungs) in patients with colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that lung surgery increases the survival of these patients. Some background Colorectal cancer is one of the major diseases seen in the US. LM appear in 5-15% of patients and...
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Post-surgery chemotherapy in early rectal cancer is associated with improved outcomes
In a nutshell This study investigated the safety of localized surgery followed by chemotherapy compared with total mesorectal excision (TME; bowel and lymph nodes around the tumor are removed) in early stages (T0 to T1) of rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that local surgery followed by chemotherapy improves long term outcomes in early stages of...
Read MoreCancer Vaccines
When I think of vaccines, I think of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccines which help our bodies establish immunity against diseases that used to kill. Now, there are vaccines being created for cancer. The rise of cancer vaccines According to Dr. Nora Disis, an oncologist and researcher in cancer vaccines at the University of...
Read MoreAccurate diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea following colon cancer surgery can improve quality of life
In a nutshell This study investigated the causes and treatment options for diarrhea after colon surgery in colon cancer patients. Researchers suggested that an accurate diagnosis will improve the treatment of these patients. Some background Surgery to remove colon tumors changes the anatomy and the normal intestinal function of the bowel. Thus, many...
Read MoreOxaliplatin based treatments as adjuvant chemotherapy treatment in colon cancer patients
In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of a 3-month oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy treatment after surgery in patients with stage 3 colon cancer. Researchers suggested 6-months of treatment is associated with better outcomes. Some background The current standard treatment for stage 3 colon cancer patients is surgery followed by...
Read MoremFOLFOX6 and XELOX have similar side effect rates stage 3 colon cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the safety of the chemotherapies mFOLFOX6 and XELOX in Japanese colon cancer patients. Researchers suggested that the safety of both treatments is acceptable. Some background FOLFOX chemotherapy is the standard treatment for stage 3 colon cancer patients who underwent surgery. mFOLFOX6 combines leucovorin,...
Read MoreASCO 2018: Chemotherapy Side Effects & Treating Metastatic Lung Cancer
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meets at the beginning of June each year in Chicago. It is the world’s largest oncology organization where researchers from around the world present their research findings. Here are the results of two studies presented during the first couple of days of the conference. Chemotherapy Side Effects and...
Read MorePanitumumab injections to treat metastatic colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of short 15-minute panitumumab (Vectibix) injections. Researchers suggested that these injections were well tolerated with manageable side effects. Some background Panitumumab is a therapy that targets the EFGR receptor on cancer cells. This blocks cell growth which results in cell...
Read MoreChemotherapy after surgery in stage 3 colon cancer patients
In a nutshell This study investigated the optimal time to start chemotherapy after colon surgery. Researchers suggested that patients should start chemotherapy within 8 weeks after surgery. Some background The recommended treatment for stage 3 colon cancer is surgery followed by chemotherapy. This reduces the risk of recurrence (when the cancer comes...
Read MoreDelayed chemotherapy after surgery in stage 3 colon cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated if delayed chemotherapy treatment after surgery is associated with improved colon cancer outcomes. Researchers suggested that patients should receive chemotherapy within 6-8 weeks after surgery. Some background The standard treatment for stage 3 colon cancer is surgery followed by chemotherapy. Some...
Read More5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands-which are also called suprarenal glands-are part of the endocrine system and are found on the top of each kidney. How the endocrine system hormones work Hormones secreted from glands of the endocrine system travel in the bloodstream to target cells. Target cells have receptors that are specific to each hormone. The hormones and receptors...
Read MoreRight To Try: Needed Legislation or Snake Oil?
Thirty-eight states in the US have passed “Right To Try” laws. These are laws that are created to give terminally ill patients who have run out of options access to experimental drugs that have not completed the FDA approval process. There is an effort underway to pass this type of legislation on a federal level. On February 8, the #LCSM (Lung...
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