While some surgical studies are now reporting five-year survival after surgery to remove colorectal cancer tumors that have spread to the liver of 40 to 60 percent, a review of more general national experience for patients enrolled in Medicare in the United States found lower survival rates.
Among Medicare-enrolled colorectal cancer patients 65 and over who had liver resection, only 26 percent (1 in 4) were alive five years later. Read the rest of this entry »
Combining chemotherapy with Erbitux® (cetuximab) can effectively shrink tumors and enable surgeons to remove formerly unresectable colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, offering potentially curative treatment. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
Patients recovering from abdominal surgery benefited from having plants in their hospital rooms. They had less pain, needed lower doses of pain medicine, and had lower heart rates and blood pressure. As they got better, they spent time watering and tending the plants.
In addition, patients with plants were less fatigued and anxious. They were happier with their rooms, and 93 percent of them said that the plants were the best part of the room. Patients without plants said that watching television was the most positive aspect of their hospital stay. Read the rest of this entry »
Both surgery and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are used to destroy liver tumors that have spread from colorectal cancer, but which approach is better?
Surgeons at the University of Louisville School of Medicine reviewed all the cases where patients received either surgery only or RFA only in their hospital over the past twelve years. They had over 1,100 cases involving liver tumors during that time, and 192 involved either a single liver surgery or only radiofrequency ablation.
They found the time before cancer came back was considerably shorter for RFA. In addition, cancer returned at the RFA or surgical site more often for RFA, and also recurred more often elsewhere in the liver. Read the rest of this entry »
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