In a nutshell This study evaluated the benefits of personalized 5-fluorouracil (Efudex) dosing in early and late-stage colorectal cancer patients. Some background 5-fluorouracil has been a mainstay of colorectal cancer chemotherapy for over 50 years. Research has shown that in order for 5-fluorouracil to work effectively target concentrations need...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effect of the surgical technique on the timing of chemotherapy administration. Some background Colon surgery (colectomy) is the main treatment for curing patients with colorectal cancer. There are 2 possible surgical techniques: laparoscopic surgery or open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a more recent,...
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In a nutshell This study examined the impact of cancer that has spread to the liver and the lymph nodes surrounding the liver (hepatic hilar lymph node [HLN] metastasis) on patient survival. Some background The liver is the most common organ for distant metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer. It is a poor prognostic factor for...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether cancer that has spread to the peritoneal surface (the lining of the abdominal cavity) can be treated as effectively as cancer that has spread to the liver in colorectal cancer patients. Some background The liver is the most common metastatic site (site for the cancer to...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether there is a link between tumor deposits and tumor stage, treatment response rates and patient survival in patients with rectal cancer. Some background After surgical removal of rectal tumors and the surrounding tissue, doctors analyze the samples to help determine the severity of the cancer. One...
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In a nutshell This study summarized current data on the optimal interval between chemoradiation therapy and surgery for rectal cancer patients. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. The standard treatment for low-lying locally...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the long-term outcome of patients after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (a significant length of bowel tissue around the tumor is removed with only a minor surgical incision). Some background Surgery is the main method for treating rectal cancer. Open surgery is the original surgical method used for...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined whether chemotherapy improves the chance of survival for patients with stage II or stage III colon cancer. Some background Patients with stage III colon cancer have evidence of cancer spread to the lymph nodes but not to any distant organs. For patients with stage III cancer there is evidence that chemotherapy...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether surgical removal of the main lymph nodes improves the survival of patients with surgically curable colon cancer. Some background Surgical removal of lymph nodes is classified depending on the extent of lymph node removal. D2 dissections involve removal of the lymph nodes beside the colon and...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of pre-surgery chemoradiotherapy on physical fitness for patients with rectal cancer. They also explored whether physical fitness affects recovery from surgery. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined whether patients with colorectal cancer have cognitive dysfunction or increased fatigue (tiredness). Some background Cognitive function refers to a person’s ability to think or process information. Cognitive dysfunction can include problems with memory, learning new information, reading or...
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In a nutshell This small study investigated the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on whole-body physical fitness. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer routinely receive...
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