Colon Cancer and Alcohol

For years we have known that alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors in developing colon cancer particular in women. This week an interesting article was published by Dr. Christopher Forsyth from Rush University Medical Center suggesting that if you have colon cancer and you drink alcohol that colon cancer may spread easier. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on November 3rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 6 Comments »
Tags: alcohol, metastasis, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Blood Test Detects Cancer, May Predict Spread

ECCO/ESMO UPDATE — BERLIN 2009

A new blood test finds colon, rectal, and stomach cancers early and may be able to predict which cancers are most likely to spread (metastasize).

Higher levels of messenger RNA for the S100A4  gene were found in blood from patients with gastrointestinal cancers than in blood from healthy volunteers.  Blood levels increased as cancer stage increased.  Patients with cancer that had already spread had the highest levels.

Patients whose cancer eventually spread, had higher blood levels of S100A4 mRNA when their blood was first tested, leading to a possible test to predict possible  metastasis. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 22nd, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: early detection, metastasis