In a nutshell This study investigated the optimal waiting time between chemotherapy and radiation therapy and surgery in rectal cancer patients. Researchers suggested that a prolonged waiting time improves response to the treatment. Some background Chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) is the recommended treatment before rectal surgery....
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In a nutshell This study investigated the association between palliative surgery (a treatment that reduces pain without curing the disease) and quality of life in colorectal patients with incurable metastasis (cancer has spread to other parts of the body). Researchers reported that surgery led to an improved quality of life in these...
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In a nutshell In this study, the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) updated recommendations for treating elderly patients with colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The majority of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people over 70 years old. The recommended...
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When you’re 8 years old, jumping rope, playing dolls, swinging on swing sets and doing homework are girlhood pursuits. Discovering “Lumpy Luey” in your left chest wall isn’t. In 1978, Stephanie Dodds’ way of coping with the diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma was to give it a name and focus on “getting rid of it.”...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the survival rates and prognostic factors (future course of the cancer) for sporadic (occurs in people with no cancer family history) colorectal cancer in young patients. Researchers reported that young patients had more aggressive cancers and shorter survival rates. Some background Colorectal cancer is more...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the association between the tumor side and cetuximab (Erbitux) effectiveness in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer. Researchers reported that cetuximab was more effective in left-sided tumors. Some background Left and right- sided colorectal cancer have different...
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Oncology Basics 2016 continues with a look at the immune system and immunotherapy. As described in a previous post, one of the regulators of cell division and proliferation is the immune system. Harnessing the power of the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells is a promising area of oncology research. Immune System Cells Below is a graphic to...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the benefits of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients with inoperable liver metastasis (the cancer has spread to the liver). Researchers reported that chemotherapy increases survival in colorectal patients with inoperable liver metastasis. Some background Only 10-20% of colorectal patients with...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of surgery in patients with stage 4 (spread to other areas of the body) colorectal cancer who were treated with chemotherapy. Researchers reported that surgery increased survival in these patients. Some background Prior studies have reported increased survival in patients with stage 4...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the association between malnutrition caused by pre-surgery chemotherapy and radiation (CRT) and rectal cancer treatment tolerance and anastomotic leakage (AL; leakage of intestinal fluids). Researchers reported that malnutrition related to CRT is associated with treatment tolerance and AL. Some background CRT...
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In Oncology Basics 2016 part 1, we examined the elegance of the cells that make up our body. In Oncology Basics 2016 part 2, we explored what holds the instructions for life–DNA–and the special processes of self-replication and transcription that are used to pass on and translate those instructions. Now we will try to connect the...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the role of the BRAF mutation (change) in survival of stage 2 and 3 colorectal cancer patients. Researchers suggested that the BRAF mutation was associated with lower survival rates of patients with stage 2 and 3 colorectal cancer. Some background Surgery followed by chemotherapy strongly improves survival...
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