What is the Best Treatment in the Neoadjuvant Setting for Rectal Cancer?

At ASCO a number of studies showed the efficacy data of combining 5-FU or Xeloda with oxaliplatin in combination with radiation therapy in patients with rectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on June 30th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 5 Comments »
Tags: chemoradiation, rectal cancer, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: June 25

Farrah Fawcett died on Thursday, June 25, 2009 of anal cancer that had spread to her liver.  She was 62.  Anal cancer is much more rare than either colon or rectal cancer, affecting about 5,300 Americans in 2009. 710 will die from it.

In other headlines, the Caterpillar company works with Peoria hospitals and doctors to ensure quality colonoscopy for their employees and a Swiss laboratory will be the first to offer a blood screening test for colorectal cancer.

In research, MRI colonography is useful for patients who can’t have a full colonoscopy before surgery, screening colonoscopies are increasing for Medicare enrollees, and scientists have found factors in tumors that make nerves more sensitive to pain.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 27th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: cancer pain, Epigenomics, Farrah Fawcett, magnetic resonance colonography, Medicare

Dr. Lenz: Genetic Signature Not Helpful to Predict Recurrence in Clinical Practice

At ASCO 2009 Dr. David Kerr from the United Kingdom presented data on a genetic signature which is associated with tumor recurrence in stage II colon cancer. However these data are not even close to being clinically meaningful.

These data have been discussed by Kate Murphy. However I wanted to follow up with the significance of the data. To increase the risk of recurrence from 12% to 22% is not in any way or form helpful in the clinic, particularly because this outcome is independent of treatment effect. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on June 25th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | No Comments »
Tags: ASCO 2009, genetic signature, recurrence risk, Understanding Genetics

Poverty, Lack of Insurance Barriers to Reducing Colon Cancer

Although new diagnoses of colon and rectal cancer are decreasing in the United States, the benefit does not reach everyone.

No matter where they lived, incidence of colorectal cancer dropped significantly between 1995 and 2004 for white Americans aged 65 and over, most of whom have Medicare that covers colonoscopy screening.  However, colorectal cancer rates for whites from 50 to 64 did not fall if they lived in rural areas or counties where there was poverty, lack of insurance, or few primary care providers.

African Americans only benefited from reduced incidence if they were over 64 and living in an affluent community. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 25th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer incidence, disparities

Hepatic Perfusion Treatment Improves Survival and Shrinks CRC Liver Tumors

Colorectal cancer patients whose cancer had spread to their livers benefited from surgery during which heated chemotherapy was pumped directly to their livers. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) shrank tumors and increased survival time.  It may be a hopeful new approach to treating colorectal cancer that is widespread in the liver.

Median survival time after the treatment was a little over 17 months.  A third of patients lived two years or more.

A clinical trial of a similar hepatic perfusion technique without open surgery is currently available at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 24th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: hepatic perfusion, liver metastases