In a nutshell This study compared the safety and efficacy of open versus laparoscopic (robotic) surgery in patients with advanced cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer). Some background For patients with CRC, the first treatment option usually is surgery to remove the cancer along with part of the large intestine. In more advanced...
Read MoreConfined or spread disease-Spread into regional lymph nodes Posts on Medivizor
Evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding bevacizumab in two capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial investigated the addition of bevacizumab to two chemotherapy regimens for the first line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. They do so by forming new blood vessels, thus feeding themselves. Bevacizumab (Avastin)...
Read MoreColon cancer prognosis is associated with prior smoking and genetic mutations
In a nutshell This study compared disease free survival (the time period between the end of treatment and until the disease returns or the patient relapses) for colon cancer patients with a history of smoking versus non-smokers. Some background Cigarette smoking can increase the risk of colon cancer. However, it is not clear how prior smoking...
Read MoreWait-and-see policy in patients with rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy
In a nutshell The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and utility of a wait and see policy in patients with rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. Some background Treatment options for patients with rectal cancer (cancer in the final part of the large bowel) is chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (together called...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of high-dose 5-fluorouracil given in continuous injection in patients with stage III colon cancer
In a nutshell This study compared the efficacy and safety of continuous injection high-dose 5-fluorouracil (HD-FU) versus standard dose bolus (rapid injection into the vein) 5-fluorouracil (FU) for the treatment of patients with stage III colon cancer. Some background Colon cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells in the large...
Read MoreIntermittent versus continuous chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pauses during chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background In advanced CRC (cancer of the large bowel that has spread to the lymph nodes and other tissues and organs of the body) the cancer is more difficult to remove. Patients usually need...
Read MoreComparing the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic versus open surgery for patients with rectal cancer
In a nutshell The present study compared the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery (LS) and open surgery (OS) in patients with rectal cancer. The study found that LS was as safe and effective as OS in selected patients with rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the lower part of the large intestine (rectum). Most patients...
Read MoreThe right treatments are available if the correct trials are used to show that therapy is improving.
In a nutshell This editorial article published at The Journal of Clinical Oncology, expresses experts' opinion, criticizing the current practice and design of clinical trials involving patients with rectal cancer. Some background Despite improvements in treatment options, such as the addition of the platinum-based drug Oxaliplatin to...
Read MoreOperative versus non-operative treatment for recurrent rectal cancer: impact on long-term survival
In a nutshell The present paper compares long-term survival rates of surgery versus non-operative treatments in patients with recurrent rectal cancer (RRC). Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the final section of the large intestine, or rectum. Surgery to remove the cancer is the first choice of treatment, but chemotherapy with or...
Read MoreSurveillance colonoscopy is performed early in patients who undergo curative surgery for colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This article evaluated how surveillance colonoscopies (SC) were used in colorectal cancer patients previously treated with surgery. The main finding was that many patients who had curative surgery (complete removal of the cancer) underwent SC more often than recommended by the guidelines. Some background Patients who undergo curative...
Read MoreEvaluating the efficacy of intraoperative radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer
In a nutshell The present review evaluates the results and complications of intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage III) and recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Locally advanced CRC means that the cancer has spread beyond (invaded) the lining of the large intestine...
Read MoreA genetic profile which identifies patients who will respond to preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer
In a nutshell This study looks at the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with chemoradiation prior to surgery, and if there are variations in the cancer genes which make some more sensitive to this treatment than others. They find that changes in three individual genes made cancers less sensitive to chemoradiation, and may be a useful...
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