Colon and Rectal Cancer Research Briefs: January 20
Posted by on January 20th, 2010
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Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: May 8
Posted by on May 8th, 2009
This week a panda gets a colonoscopy, details are reported on swine flu cases, and information about acrylamide in food and cancer risk is reviewed. The FDA says that the leucovorin shortage has been resolved and supplies are available.
We also found a study that used stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRS) for tumors from cancer that had spread to the spine. In other research, the number of lymph nodes recovered during colon and rectal surgery depends on the patient’s age, where the cancer was located, and how long the removed specimen was. Read the rest of this entry »
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Number of Lymph Nodes is Very, Very Important
Posted by on April 10th, 2009
It is important to stage somebody correctly that you examine a reasonable number of lymph nodes.
Many studies now show that the ideal number is 12 or higher. We know that if you have no lymph nodes involved with cancer out of 12 lymph nodes that you really have stage II disease. You might wonder when only two nodes are removed and none are involved in cancer if additional lymph nodes could show cancer. Therefore, even when the pathological stage is II, we would classify this tumor as not well-staged and treat it like a stage III cancer. Read the rest of this entry »
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Evaluate Your Surgeon
Posted by on January 9th, 2009
When we go to a surgeon, we often don’t ask them how many surgery he has done for the same disease but may be we should.
For colon cancer, there is in fact a specialization fellowship to become a colorectal surgeon. A recent analysis of 17 studies from nine countries has shown that the quality of the surgeon and the surgery is associated with better outcome.
How can you evaluate the surgeon? Read the rest of this entry »
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Hospitals Not Testing Enough Lymph Nodes
Posted by on September 10th, 2008
Despite the fact that removing and testing at least 12 nearby lymph nodes during colorectal cancer surgery improves accurate staging and survival, most US hospitals are not reaching that goal.
In a recent study of nearly 1,300 hospitals, only 38 percent tested at least 12 nodes in 75 percent of colorectal cancer surgeries performed in 2004 and 2005. Read the rest of this entry »
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