HNPCC Pts May Reject Prophylactic Subtotal Colectomy

Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 15 No 7
Volume 15
Issue 7

People with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), are willing to consider the pros and cons of prophylactic subtotal colectomy to manage their disorder, but still have strong concerns about the procedure

AMELIA ISLAND, Florida—People with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), are willing to consider the pros and cons of prophylactic subtotal colectomy to manage their disorder, but still have strong concerns about the procedure, according to a study presented at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) Third Annual Conference (abstract P12-3).

Karen Hurley, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, interviewed 11 people with HNPCC about their willingness to undergo prophylactic subtotal colectomy: Fewer than half (45.5%) said they would consider the surgery even in the event of a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. A smaller percentage, 18.2%, said they would consider it even without a cancer diagnosis, and 36% said they would not consider it at all. For most (63.6%), not needing an annual colonoscopy was not considered enough of an incentive to have the surgery. Slightly more than half had never heard about the prophylactic surgery before their interview. They were more likely to know about it if they had already received a cancer diagnosis. "People with HNPCC should be considering the option of prophylactic subtotal colectomy before they get hit with a cancer diagnosis, so they can make informed and reasoned choices," Dr. Hurley said.

Related Videos
Treatment options in the refractory setting must improve for patients with resected colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis, says Muhammad Talha Waheed, MD.
Arvind N. Dasari, MD, MS, an expert on colorectal cancer
Stacey Cohen, MD, an expert on colorectal cancer
Arvind N. Dasari, MD, MS, an expert on colorectal cancer
A panel of 5 experts on colorectal cancer
Aparna Parikh, MD, an expert on colorectal cancer
Stacey Cohen, MD, an expert on colorectal cancer
A panel of 5 experts on colorectal cancer
A panel of 5 experts on colorectal cancer
Michael Foote, MD, an expert on colorectal cancer
Related Content