In a nutshell This study examined whether circumferential resection margins (CRM) are useful for predicting disease outcome in patients who have received chemoradiotherapy (chemotherapy plus radiotherapy). Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the nearby...
Read MoreConfined or spread disease-Confined only to the colon, rectum or appendix Posts on Medivizor
Is colorectal cancer spread influenced by cancer subtype?
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...
Read MoreCould endoscopies have harmful implications?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the effect of endoscopic procedures on subsequent surgical outcomes. Some background Most colorectal cancers start as small polyps; an abnormal growth of tissue that starts in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Although most polyps are not malignant, some represent early stage cancer, and early removal...
Read MoreCould preoperative MRI predict rectal cancer outcomes?
In a nutshell This study evaluated preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of surgical margins among rectal cancer patients. Some background Surgical removal of the tumor is the optimal treatment in the case of local rectal cancer. Removal of the intact tumor, with surrounding tissue and lymph-nodes, without leaving behind...
Read MorePredicting pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the use of different clinical factors in predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy among rectal cancer patients. Some background Neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer refers to treatments given before surgery, such as chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. Chemoradiation is...
Read MoreIncreasing response to treatment with statins
In a nutshell This study examined whether statin use during cancer treatments can increase response rates and outcomes among rectal cancer patients before surgery. Some background Chemoradiation (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) is often used among rectal cancer patients before undergoing surgery (referred to as neoadjuvant therapy). Neoadjuvant...
Read MoreThe meaning of partial response to treatment
In a nutshell This review examined the prognosis of rectal cancer patients exhibiting a partial response to treatment. Some background Treatment of rectal cancer generally includes chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before surgical removal of the tumor. Response to these treatments is measured by assessing shrinkage of the tumor on a scale referred...
Read MoreRemoving the lymph nodes, not just the cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection on survival of rectal cancer patients. Some background Removal of the lymph nodes in the area surrounding lower rectal cancer (lateral pelvic lymph node dissection or LPND) is often performed during surgery to remove the cancer. LPND is usually performed if...
Read MoreEffect on survival of advanced therapeutic approaches for patients with rectal cancer
In a nutshell This review evaluated the survival of patients with rectal cancer who were treated with a total mesorectal excision (TME) and whether preoperative chemoradiation therapy or PCRT (chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery) had any influence on their survival. Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the rectum, the last part of...
Read MorePredictors of recurrence after surgery in patients with localized rectal tumors
In a nutshell This study looked at survival and recurrence rates among patients with localized rectal cancer (one that has not spread beyond the rectum). The researchers tried to identify patients at a higher risk that might benefit from more aggressive treatment. Some background Node negative (or N0) rectal cancer is a cancer that has not yet...
Read MoreWhat are the risk factors for recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer?
In a nutshell This study aimed to identify risk factors for recurrence (return of the cancer) in patients with colorectal cancer following surgical removal. Some background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Treatment for CRC has generally involved surgery to remove the cancer along with the entire area...
Read MorePredicting residual or recurrent disease in patients with invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma developed from colorectal adenoma treated by endoscopy?
In a nutshell The present study evaluated factors associated with residual or recurrent disease in patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas developed from adenomas initially treated endoscopically. Some background A colorectal adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) abnormal growth in the inner lining of the large intestine (colon and rectum) also...
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