In a nutshell This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of administering biweekly (every 14 days) cetuximab (Erbitux) plus standard chemotherapy to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer that has spread to other organs). Some background Cetuximab is a drug that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein. As EGRF is...
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In a nutshell This study examined the outcome of patients with rectal cancer that had spread to a limited number of other organs after treatment of the rectal tumor. Some background Rectal cancer can spread from the rectum to other organs and tissues of the body. This is referred to as metastasis. If the cancer only spreads to a small...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the relationship between two different obesity measurements and the risk of incisional hernia (when the intestines push through the surgical scar or the surrounding tissue). Some background Incisional hernias are one of the most common surgical complications after surgery for colorectal cancer. Between 4% and...
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In a nutshell This study investigated which patients with colorectal cancer benefit from adding aflibercept (Zaltrap) to FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil [Efudex], leucovorin, irinotecan [Camptosar]) as a second treatment for colorectal cancer. Some background About 25% of patients have metastatic colorectal cancer (colorectal cancer...
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In a nutshell This study compared two strategies for treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (colorectal cancer that has spread to distant sites). Some background Bevacizumab is an anti-cancer drug that blocks the formation of new blood vessels needed for the cancer to grow and spread. Combined with chemotherapy it is a standard first...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the impact of delayed chemotherapy on long-term outcomes in rectal cancer patients. Some background Treatment for rectal cancer patients often involves neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy given before surgery). Patients can also receive chemotherapy after surgery to reduce the...
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In a nutshell The current study investigated the impact of physical activity before and after colorectal cancer diagnosis on survival. Some background Rates of survival from colorectal cancer have improved greatly over the last number of decades. For men the rate of survival increased from 48.9% in 1977 to 66.1% in in 2009. For women it increased...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether statins (such as Lipitor, Livalo) can improve survival for colorectal cancer patients. Some background Statins are a class of drug used to lower cholesterol. They are used to prevent heart disease in patients who are at high risk. Recent evidence suggests that statins also slow cell growth, stop new...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of two genetic mutations (abnormal genes) on progression of colorectal cancer after treatment. Some background It is important to determine if a patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (colon or rectal cancer that has spread to distant organs) have a KRAS mutation as it can affect their response...
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In a nutshell This study describes the patient-reported outcomes in long-term survivors of metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to another part of the body. In the last 3 decades the long-term survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients...
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In a nutshell The authors investigated the efficacy and safety of continuing or reintroducing bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to distant sites in the body. Bevacizumab is...
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In a nutshell This study compared the outcomes of two surgical techniques in patients with low rectal cancer. Some background Surgery is the main option for curing patients with low rectal cancer. The standard type of surgery, abdominoperineal excision, involves removal of the lower rectum and a small amount of surrounding tissue....
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