In a nutshell The authors aimed to review the use of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with local excision for early stage rectal cancer. Some background Traditionally the surgical management of early rectal cancer has involved major abdominal surgery including total mesorectal excision (a significant length of bowel tissue around the tumor is...
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In a nutshell The authors reviewed overall survival, progression-free survival and response rate changes with the addition of biologic drugs to chemotherapeutic regimes in metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background It is estimated that approximately 20-25% of colorectal cancer patients present with distant metastases (spread of cancer to other...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the survival benefits associated with an operation to remove the primary tumor among patients with metastatic stage IV colorectal cancer. Some background While approximately 6% of colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease (cancer that has spread throughout the body) present with complications...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the difference in survival outcomes between major surgical resection and local excision in early-stage colorectal cancer. Some background High-quality cancer clearance can be achieved by major surgical resection (removal of the tumor) in early-stage colorectal cancer, but this must be...
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How do you share information with your doctor? This is a tough question. If you have had a bad experience or if you have been afraid to even broach something new with your doctor, this is the post for you. We asked two patient activists how they talk to their physicians and they provided us with tips that can help when sharing information. From Patient...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the survival benefits associated with surgical removal of the primary tumor in stage IV colorectal cancer. Some background While surgery is the primary treatment for localized colorectal cancer (cancer that has not spread), surgical removal of the primary tumor in patients with incurable metastatic disease...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the efficacy of aspirin in relation to PIK3CA gene status of patients with colorectal cancer. Some background Aspirin is a drug used for pain relief and fever reduction. Its anti-inflammatory properties are associated with its ability to inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors evaluated the short term effectiveness and safety of capecitabine and oxaliplatin administered prior to and then alongside radiotherapy for high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. Some background Although neoadjuvant (before surgery) chemoradiotherapy has signifcantly reduced the risk of local...
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In a nutshell The authors compared the short-term complications associated with preoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy, short course radiotherapy and no preoperative radiation therapy. Some background Treatment for rectal cancer typically involves tumor resection (surgical removal of the tumor). A reduction in local recurrence rates in rectal...
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In a nutshell This review provided information on surgical resection for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer patients can often present initially with metastasis (spread of the cancer), with many more developing metastasis during the course of the disease. The most common site of metastasis...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the association between lifestyle factors and mortality in colorectal cancer. Some background To date, few studies have examined the relationship of lifestyle factors with mortality among patients with colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgical resection for retroperitoneal recurrence of colorectal cancer. Some background Patients who undergo curative resection (surgical removal of the cancer) for primary colorectal cancer have a 30–50% chance of disease recurrence (return of the disease)....
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