A-Type Lamins Associated with Aggressive Colorectal Cancer
(08/27/2008)
Proteins called A-type lamins appear to indicate the presence of aggressive disease in patients with colorectal cancer. A-type lamins may also play a role in determining treatment options among these patients. These results were recently published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Early Skin Treatment Reduces Skin Reactions in Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Vectibix®
(08/22/2008)
Among patients with colorectal cancer, skin treatment beginning on the day prior to therapy with Vectibix® (panitumumab) significantly reduces skin side effects associated with Vectibix compared with skin treatment after side effects occur. These results were presented at the 10th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer held in Spain in June 2008.
More Fruits and Veggies, Less Meat Reduces Colorectal Cancer
(08/14/2008)
Individuals who consume a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils, contains sufficient dietary calcium and vitamin D, and is low in solid fats, added sugar, and red meats have a significantly reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer. These results were recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Low Risk of Perforation During Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Cancer
(08/08/2008)
Perforation (a tear through the colon wall caused by a colonoscopy procedure) occurs in less than one in 1,000 patients undergoing a colonoscopy. These results were recently published in the Archives of Surgery.
Higher Vitamin D Levels Result in Better Survival Among Colorectal Cancer Patients
(07/15/2008)
Among patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, those with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood prior to diagnosis have an improved survival compared with those with lower levels. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
More...
Screening/Prevention
More Fruits and Veggies, Less Meat Reduces Colorectal Cancer
(08/14/2008)
Individuals who consume a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils, contains sufficient dietary calcium and vitamin D, and is low in solid fats, added sugar, and red meats have a significantly reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer. These results were recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Low Risk of Perforation During Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Cancer
(08/08/2008)
Perforation (a tear through the colon wall caused by a colonoscopy procedure) occurs in less than one in 1,000 patients undergoing a colonoscopy. These results were recently published in the Archives of Surgery.
Higher Vitamin D Levels Result in Better Survival Among Colorectal Cancer Patients
(07/15/2008)
Among patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, those with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood prior to diagnosis have an improved survival compared with those with lower levels. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Physicians with More Training Perform More Effective Colonoscopies
(05/07/2008)
A recent trial conducted at 15 different medical centers in Korea indicates that a physician must perform at least 150 colonoscopies to be considered competent at the procedure. Details of the study were recently published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Celebrex® Reduces Colon Adenomas
(04/17/2008)
The COX2-inhibitor Celebrex® (celecoxib) reduces the rate of colon adenomas at five years and appears safe, even among patients with cardiovascular disease. These results were recently presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
More...
Stages I-III
A-Type Lamins Associated with Aggressive Colorectal Cancer
(08/27/2008)
Proteins called A-type lamins appear to indicate the presence of aggressive disease in patients with colorectal cancer. A-type lamins may also play a role in determining treatment options among these patients. These results were recently published in the journal PLoS ONE.
March Is National Rectal Cancer Awareness Month
(03/24/2008)
As the month of March brings rectal cancer into focus, it’s a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated colorectal cancer information throughout the year.
Elderly Rectal Cancer Patients May Benefit from Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation
(02/21/2008)
Elderly patients diagnosed with rectal cancer may benefit from combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Chemotherapy for Stage II Colorectal Cancer Improves Survival
(01/16/2008)
According to results recently published in Lancet Oncology, chemotherapy for Stage II colorectal cancer appears to provide a modest improvement in survival
Developments in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Report from ASCO GI 2007
(10/15/2007)
At the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium, the presentations related to colorectal cancer concentrated on how to optimally sequence the various treatment options for patients with advanced colorectal cancer and how to manage the side effects of the treatments.
More...
Stage IV
A-Type Lamins Associated with Aggressive Colorectal Cancer
(08/27/2008)
Proteins called A-type lamins appear to indicate the presence of aggressive disease in patients with colorectal cancer. A-type lamins may also play a role in determining treatment options among these patients. These results were recently published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Combination of Erbitux® and Camptosar® Improves Outcome in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
(04/14/2008)
The combination of Erbitux® (cetuximab) and Camptosar® (irinotecan) may be more effective than Camptosar alone for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that is positive for the epidermal growth factor receptor. This study was recently published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Developments in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Report from ASCO GI 2007
(10/15/2007)
At the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium, the presentations related to colorectal cancer concentrated on how to optimally sequence the various treatment options for patients with advanced colorectal cancer and how to manage the side effects of the treatments.
Cure at Ten-year Survival Following Surgery to Remove Colon Cancer Spread to Liver
(10/12/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients surviving 10 years following the surgical removal of cancer that has spread from the colon to the liver can consider themselves cured. Furthermore, the authors state: “In well-selected patients, there is at least a one in six chance of cure.”
Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: ASCO 2007
(10/12/2007)
The past decade has been an era of rapid proliferation of new drugs and regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). With seven active drugs now available including four chemotherapeutic agents: 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin, and three targeted agents: bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab, there are many possibilities for combinations. The challenge now is to identify how best to use all effective agents to maximum advantage through the course of treatment for this disease. Presentations at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) began to deliver answers to these questions.
More...
Recurrent/Relapsed
Early Skin Treatment Reduces Skin Reactions in Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Vectibix®
(08/22/2008)
Among patients with colorectal cancer, skin treatment beginning on the day prior to therapy with Vectibix® (panitumumab) significantly reduces skin side effects associated with Vectibix compared with skin treatment after side effects occur. These results were presented at the 10th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer held in Spain in June 2008.
Testing for Specific Protein May Identify Colorectal Patients Who Will Benefit from Erbitux®
(04/07/2008)
Researchers have identified a test to predict which patients with colorectal cancer would likely respond to treatment with Erbitux® (cetuximab). Details of the study were recently published in the Annals of Oncology.
Hemoglobin Level Among Factors that May Predict Outcome in Rectal Cancer
(03/17/2008)
Researchers in the United States have recently published results indicating that certain prognostic factors may predict outcome for patients undergoing radiation for locally recurrent rectal cancer. These results were recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics.
Erbitux® Improves Survival in Colorectal Cancer
(11/16/2007)
According to an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the targeted agent Erbitux® (cetuximab) improves overall and progression-free survival while maintaining quality of life for patients with recurrent colorectal cancer.
Erbitux®/Avastin®/Camptosar® Appears Effective in Colorectal Cancer Patients Not Responding to Camptosar Alone
(10/15/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of the targeted agent Avastin® (bevacizumab) to treatment including the targeted agent Erbitux® (cetuximab), with or without the chemotherapy agent Camptosar® (irinotecan), appears effective for patients with advanced colorectal cancer who do not respond to Camptosar alone.
More...