In a nutshell This study evaluated whether patients whose cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes would benefit from additional chemotherapy following surgery. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer means the cancer has spread from the rectum (the lowest part of the large bowel) into surrounding tissues and organs. The recommended...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether combination treatment panitumumab (Vectibix) and FOLFOX4 can improve the outcome of patients. Some background Patients with mutated KRAS colorectal cancer have a genetic mutation in KRAS, an important gene in various signaling pathways. Patients with normal...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to investigate factors associated with survival when undergoing surgery to remove colorectal cancer metastases in the lungs. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer is cancer that has spread from the original site (in the colon or rectum) to distant organs. Chemotherapy can prolong average survival times and...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the association between colorectal cancer subtype and the metastatic spread of cancer. Some background The most common type of colorectal cancer is an adenocarcinoma; this cancer arises from glandular cells located in the inner lining of the colon that produce intestinal secretions. Mucinous...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the association between diabetes and risk of death in colorectal cancer patients. Some background Previous studies have reported that diabetes (a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has a high blood sugar) significantly increases overall mortality (death) in patients...
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In a nutshell The authors provided information on 4 different types of treatment for patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastases. Some background The liver is the most common site of metastasis (cancer spread) and disease recurrence (return) in colorectal cancer. Only 20-25% of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of chemotherapy and targeted therapy for patients with initially unresectable (inoperable) colorectal liver metastases. Some background Liver resection (surgical removal of cancerous tissue from the liver) with chemotherapy is the standard procedure as well as the only curative...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined whether age influences the type of treatment that a patient will receive. It also examined the implication of these differences on patient outcomes. Some background Rectal cancer most commonly affects the elderly, with the average age of diagnosis being 70 years. Due to increased life expectancy the number of...
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In a nutshell The authors compared the risk of developing desmoid tumors, following laparoscopic or open surgery, in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Some background Familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited disease involving cancer of the large intestine and rectum. Patients are at increased risk of developing desmoid tumors...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether radical surgery is a suitable follow-up approach to local excision if features indicating poor outcome are identified. Some background Local excision (removal of a small portion of tissue) is used as a cure for early rectal cancer. However, the reported levels of survival...
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In a nutshell This study examined the relationship between uPAR protein expression in tumors and patient survival in colorectal cancer. Some background Currently the main way of predicting the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer is based on their stage of cancer and how much it has spread. This is not very specific and...
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In a nutshell This study examined if genetic analysis can predict when FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy would be more useful. Some background The treatment of choice for colon cancer is surgical resection (removal of part of the intestine). However, if the cancer has spread (metastasized), chemotherapy is often the only option. Two drug...
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