In a nutshell This study investigated the benefits of combination drug therapy (mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab) for patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver (liver metastases). Some background The 5-year survival rate is lower for colorectal cancer patients if the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other organs (stage IV). In...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the impact of anastomotic leak on patient survival after surgery for colorectal cancer. Some background The main treatment option for patients with colorectal cancer is surgery. One major complication that can occur after surgery is anastomotic leakage. Anastomotic leakage involves the leaking of fluid from...
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In a nutshell This study compared long-term survival outcomes between two different surgical techniques for rectal cancer. Some background Surgery is the main treatment for rectal cancer. Open surgery is the original surgical technique and involves making a large incision to remove the tumor. Laparoscopic surgery is a newer technique involving a...
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Cost Medical care for cancer is costly. In addition, there is the financial burden that patients and families face in getting to and from the best care–which may be located at medical centers far from home. The situation can seem overwhelming. Corporate Angel Network Into this dilemma, little known resources have arisen to meet this challenge. One of...
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In a nutshell The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life in healthy individuals and patients with rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Beyond the cancer symptoms it is now well recognized that having cancer can also affect patients’ quality of life. A number of...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether there is a link between having an abnormal BRAF gene and clinical outcomes of colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world. There is no one cause of colorectal cancer but several environmental and genetic factors are known to contribute to its...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether analyzing cancer spread to the lymph nodes in patients with stage III (the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes) right-sided colon cancer can predict patient outcome. Some background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed worldwide. Unfortunately, it is also one of the major causes...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether circulating DNA can be useful for predicting the outcome of patients treated with irinotecan (Campto). Some background DNA is the genetic material that makes up humans. DNA can be found in cells or floating in blood (cell free DNA or circulating DNA). Analyzing the circulating DNA in patients...
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Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself. ~Desiderius Erasmus CancerHawk is about giving light to cancer patients and their caregivers. Started by Robyn Stoller in 2011, CancerHawk is Robyn’s way of sharing the knowledge that she gained on-the-job as caregiver to her husband. Robyn and Alan’s Story Robyn met Alan Stoller on a retreat in...
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In a nutshell This study assessed whether panitumumab is as good as cetuximab for patients with colorectal cancer that is unresponsive to chemotherapy (chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer). Some background Colorectal cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. For patients whose cancer has metastasized (spread...
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In a nutshell This article summarized what is known about colorectal cancer: age groups most at risk, nationalities most at risk, treatment and prevention. Some background Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and an important cause of cancer related death. Roughly 1.2 million new cases are diagnosed and 600,000 people die...
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In a nutshell The study investigated whether cetuximab (Erbitux) and brivanib alaniate (BMS-582664) can improve the quality of life of patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Some patients with colorectal cancer have chemotherapy-refractory metastatic cancer (the cancer does not respond to chemotherapy...
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