September is GYN Cancers Month

September is set aside to raise awareness of gynecological cancers.  GYN cancers affect women’s reproductive organs including the cervix, endometrium, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, vulva, and ovaries.

In 2009 there will be an estimated 80,720 new cases of GYN cancers and 28,120 deaths.

Women with Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)  have a high lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, reaching 71 percent by the age of 70.  This is much higher than the general population whose risk is less than 2 percent. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 31st, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: endometrial cancer, Lynch syndrome, ovarian cancer

Aspirin for Every Patient with Metastatic Colon Cancer?

A recent study suggested that patients with colon cancer lived longer when taking aspirin.

Aspirin is a very interesting drug which has showed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and colon cancer risk and is a great pain reliever. The mechanism of action is the inhibition of an enzyme called COX-2. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on August 31st, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 3 Comments »
Tags: aspirin, chemoprevention, survival, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: August 31

Clinical features of colon tumors can predict survival, acupressure bands reduce nausea during radiation therapy, and there was no connection between the amount of fish a person ate and risk for colorectal cancer.  Although blacks have an increased risk for colon and breast cancer, hospitals matter.  All patients — white or black — did worse in hospitals that treated a majority of black patients.

Surgical robots are being developed with a light touch that can tell the difference between normal and tumor tissue. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 31st, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: acupressure, disparities, nausea, robotic surgery, survival

Old Chemo Drug May Fight Lynch Syndrome

Methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug used as long ago as the 1940′s, may be effective against colorectal cancers caused by mutations in a gene that is part of Lynch syndrome.

The drug targeted and destroyed cells that contained mutated MSH2 genes. Inherited mutations in MSH2 prevent mistakes in correct copying of DNA during cell division allowing cancer to develop and grow, particularly inherited colorectal and endometrial cancers.  In addition, MSH2 mutations can occur in some colorectal cancers that are not inherited.

Based on the work done in cancer cells, a Phase II clinical trial has begun recruiting patients with advanced colorectal cancer at the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in the United Kingdom.  To be part of the trial, patients need to have changes in MSH2 genes either in their tumor tissue or in their blood. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 30th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: HNPCC, Lynch syndrome, methotrexate

Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduces Colorectal Cancer Risk

Women in Israel who used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during and after menopause had about a 63 percent reduced risk of getting colon or rectal cancer.

However, those women who were active in sports or who took aspirin regularly didn’t benefit from HRT. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on August 26th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, hormone replacement therapy