In a nutshell The authors reviewed previous studies to assess whether there is a link between vitamin D levels in patients and the outcome of cancer. Some background Vitamin D is produced by the skin during exposure to sunshine and is also taken in through diet or supplements. Foods high in vitamin D include tuna, salmon, beef liver, fortified...
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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 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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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 study developed a new method for assessing Crohn’s-like lymphoid reaction (CLR) in patients with colorectal cancer. It also examined if CLR can be useful for predicting patient outcome. Some background Patients with colorectal cancer can have inflammation in the bowel which is similar to inflammation in patients with...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study pinpointed factors that can predict cancer recurrence in the pelvis in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy before surgery. Some background In locally advanced rectal cancer the cancer has grown from the rectum (the lowest part of the large bowel) into surrounding tissues and organs, or has spread beyond the bowel....
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In a nutshell This study compared patient outcomes after laparoscopic surgery (a modern, minimally-invasive technique involving very small incisions) and minilaparotomy (a larger incision is made which allows direct visualization of the surgery). Some background Surgery is the main treatment for rectal cancer. Open surgery is the original surgical...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the safety of low dose celecoxib treatment (400 mg/day) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer means the cancer has grown from the rectum (the lowest part of the large bowel) into surrounding tissues and organs. The treatment...
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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 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 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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In a nutshell This study focused on the effectiveness of bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer is any cancer that involves the colon, rectum, or both. It has a tendency to spread to other organs, frequently the liver. This phenomenon is called metastatic colorectal cancer....
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