RESEARCH REPORT Leah Lawrence Women diagnosed with endometrial cancer at age 50 or younger had a fourfold increased risk for a subsequent colorectal cancer diagnosis, according to a historical cohort study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
RESEARCH REPORT Leah Lawrence Adding the VEGF inhibitor axitinib to first-line treatment of FOLFOX-6 for metastatic colorectal cancer failed to improve progression-free and overall survival.
RESEARCH REPORT Anna Azvolinsky Patients with stage III colon cancer who have a history of smoking are more likely to have worse outcomes, according to a large, randomized phase III trial result.
TEST YOUR IMAGE IQ Cesar Moran A 72-year-old man presents with symptoms of abdominal pain and blood in his stools. A biopsy of the colon is obtained. What is your diagnosis?
REVIEW ARTICLE Francesco Cellini, Vincenzo Valentini;ONCOLOGY Vol. 26 No. 8 The preferred integrated treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer is preoperative radio(chemo)therapy followed by total mesorectal excision, though certain aspects of this standard are still debated.
Despite significant advances in targeted biologic agents and their integration with cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, the overall impact of these regimens in mCRC therapy has been relatively modest. This article reviews the main issues that must be considered from the surgical oncology and medical oncology perspectives, respectively.
• Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Curable Disease • Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Potential for Cure?
Patients who have chronic constipation may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer and benign neoplasms, researchers reported at the American College of Gastroenterology 77th Annual Scientific Meeting. In addition, new colonoscopy surveillance... More »
The American College of Radiology and the Colon Cancer Alliance call on Congress to pass HR 4165, which would cover CT colonography screening under Medicare. More »
Reps. Danny Davis (D, Ill.) and Ralph Hall (R, Texas) introduced the CT Colonography Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act of 2012 on the heels of data showing CTC's effectiveness in seniors. More »
CT colonography is a better screening test than optical colonoscopy (OC), according to a new study published in the May Radiology print issue. Using meta-analysis of studies done over a 15 year period, authors found that the sensitivity of CT... More »
Despite the increasing popularity of blood testing for colorectal cancer, radiologists don’t have to worry CT colonography will be replaced just yet, according to experts. More »
Statins are associated with a slight reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer, according to the results of a recent meta-analysis presented at the 2010 American College of Gastroenterology meeting. Investigators at the University of Michigan at Ann... More »
Primary data on training experiences of European gynaecological oncology trainees are lacking. This study aims to evaluate trainee profile, satisfaction and factors affecting the training experience in gynaecological oncology in Europe.
Patients and methods
A web-based anonymous survey sent to ENYGO members/trainees in July 2011. It included sociodemographic information and a 22-item (1–5 Likert scale) questionnaire evaluating training experie
Cetuximab-induced hypomagnesemia has been associated with improved clinical outcomes in advanced colorectalcancer (CRC). We explored this relationship from a randomized clinical trial of cetuximab plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone in patients with pretreated advanced CRC.
Patients and methods
Day 28 hypomagnesemia grade (0 versus ≥1) and percent reduction (<20% versus ≥20%) of Mg from baseline was correlated with outcome.
Estrogen receptor (ER)- signaling has generally been implicated in protection against colorectalcancer. The ER- gene cytosine-adenine (ESR2 CA) repeat polymorphism was reported to be associated with colorectalcancer, although showing contradicting results probably caused by ethnicity or age distribution of the subjects. We investigated the association between this polymorphism and the colorectalcancer risk in a community-based case-control study in Japan (685 cases/778 controls), including only subjects younger than 75. The effect modifications of the body mass index (BMI) and isoflavone intake were also examined. ESR2 CA repeat polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction using fluorescein-labeled primers. CA repeat alleles were classified into short (S) allele (<22 repeats) and long (L) allele ( 22 repeats). Subjects were divided into three genotype groups (SS/SL/LL). The risk of colon cancer, but not of rectal cancer, was increased with an increasing number of
Cancer genome sequencing efforts are leading to the identification of genetic mutations in many types of malignancy. However, the majority of these genetic alterations have been considered random passengers that do not directly contribute to tumorigenesis. We have previously conducted a soft agar-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen within colorectalcancer (CRC) candidate driver genes (CAN-genes) using a karyotypically diploid hTERT- and CDK4-immortalized human colonic epithelial cell (HCEC) model and discovered that depletion of 65 of the 151 CAN-genes enhanced anchorage-independent growth in HCECs with ectopic expression of K-Ras(V12) and/or TP53 knockdown. We now constructed an interaction map of the confirmed CAN-genes with CRC non-CAN-genes and screened for functional tumor suppressors. Remarkably, depletion of 15 out of 25 presumed passenger genes that interact with confirmed CAN-genes (60%) promoted soft agar growth in HCECs with TP53 knockdown compared to only 7 out of 55
Intratumoral heterogeneity arises through the evolution of genetically diverse subclones during tumor progression. However, it remains unknown whether cells within single genetic clones are functionally equivalent. By combining DNA copy number alteration (CNA) profiling, sequencing, and lentiviral lineage tracking, we followed the repopulation dynamics of 150 single lentivirus-marked lineages from 10 human colorectal cancers through serial xenograft passages in mice. CNA and mutational analysis distinguished individual clones and showed that clones remained stable upon serial transplantation. Despite this stability, the proliferation, persistence, and chemotherapy tolerance of lentivirally marked lineages were variable within each clone. Chemotherapy promoted the dominance of previously minor or dormant lineages. Thus, apart from genetic diversity, tumor cells display inherent functional variability in tumor propagation potential, which contributes to both cancer growth and therapy
Cancer-associated inflammation has been identified as a key determinant of disease progression and survival in colorectalcancer. In particular, it has been consistently reported that both the local and systemic inflammatory responses play an important role in determining outcome in colorectalcancer. Given the importance of cancer-associated inflammation, up-regulation or attenuation of these respective inflammatory responses may be important for progression and survival in colorectalcancer. Recent work has focused on the inter-relationships between the tumour and these key inflammatory processes. In particular, tumour necrosis has been reported to be associated with decreased local inflammatory infiltrate and with elevated markers of systemic inflammation in colorectalcancer and has been proposed as a potential link between the systemic and local inflammatory responses. Thus there is increasing interest in the potential biochemical mediators of this link. In this review we examine
Diet and lifestyle influence colorectal adenoma recurrence. The role of dietary supplement use in colorectal adenoma recurrence remains controversial. In this prospective cohort study, we examined the association between dietary supplement use, total colorectal adenoma recurrence and advanced adenoma recurrence. Colorectal adenoma cases (n = 565) from a former case-control study, recruited between 1995 and 2002, were prospectively followed until 2008. Adenomas with a diameter of 1 cm and/or (tubulo)villous histology and/or with high grade dysplasia and/or 3 adenomas detected at the same colonic examination were considered advanced adenomas. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dietary supplement users (use of any supplement during the past year) compared to nonusers and colorectal adenoma recurrence were calculated using stratified Cox proportional hazard models for counting processes and were adjusted for age, sex, educational level and number of
In this interview we discuss the advances in treatment for colorectal cancer, as well as ongoing developments to find new and better therapies to treat this type of cancer.
Five Steps to Improving Patient Access Judy Capko, May 21, 2013 Patient access is getting increased attention through reform initiatives. Here are five steps you can take to make sure patients get appropriate access to care in your office.
Growing HIPAA Threat – Ignore Windows XP at Your Own Peril Marion K. Jenkins, May 21, 2013 Chances are good that you have some major ticking software time bombs lurking in your medical practice's computer environment, namely Windows XP and Server 2003.
Three Areas to Reduce Costs at Your Medical Practice Greg Mertz, May 19, 2013 By taking a hard look at reducing costs for staffing, overhead, and technology at your medical practice, you may see increased physician compensation.
Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Physician Blog Michael Woo-Ming, MD, May 18, 2013 Starting a physician blog can provide your medical practice with marketing benefits, but it's important to do it right.
The preferred integrated treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer is preoperative radio(chemo)therapy followed by total mesorectal excision, though certain aspects of this standard are still debated.
In this article, we use a case-based approach to focus on the hereditary aspects of the most common GI cancers, including pancreatic, gastric, and colon cancer.
Despite significant advances in targeted biologic agents and their integration with cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, the overall impact of these regimens in mCRC therapy has been relatively modest. This article reviews the main issues that must be considered from the surgical oncology and medical oncology perspectives, respectively.
Treatment for patients with locally advanced, resectable rectal cancer has clearly evolved, with significant refinements in preoperative assessment, surgical technique, and use of preoperative CMT. 
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in... 
A 47-year-old male with complaints of chronic abdominal pain and episodes of flushing presents for evaluation. What is your diagnosis?
In this interview we discuss the advances in treatment for colorectal cancer, as well as ongoing developments to find new and better therapies to treat this type of cancer.
