Managing Metastatic CRC: Coming to a Consensus

by admin | Nov 15, 2013

According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. However, modern chemotherapy and improved surgical techniques for resectable metastases have increased the average survival for patients with stage IV metastatic CRC from approximately 6 months about 20 years ago to between 2 and 3 years today. To further enhance clinicians’ ability to manage liver metastases from CRC and contraindications to initial liver resection, a group of experts convened and published a consensus statement in The Oncologist. Aggressive Surgical Approaches for CRC “With surgery, it’s expected that some patients with metastatic CRC will be cured,” explains Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, MD, lead author of the consensus statement. “That’s unique for a stage IV solid cancer. It’s also why we’re aggressive by performing surgery. The typical approach is to resect the primary CRC, administer chemotherapy, and then resect the liver metastases [Table]. Some patients, however, present with both primary colon cancer and liver metastases in place. In some of these patients, resection of the liver metastases is recommended, followed by resection of the primary CRC in a second surgery.” Dr. Vauthey notes that both of these surgeries can be performed at the same time if the primary colorectal tumor is easily resectable, and the number of liver metastases is low. “When patients have extensive metastatic disease with multiple metastases involving the right and the left lobe of the liver, two sequential liver resections can be performed. For example, one strategy could be to treat patients with chemotherapy, perform a first liver surgery to remove metastases in the left lobe, and then...

Aspirin, Tumor Mutations, & Colorectal Cancer Survival

by Physicians Weekly | Dec 25, 2012

Among patients with mutated-PIK3CA colorectal cancer, regular aspirin use after their diagnosis appears to increase survival. The investigators noted, however, that survival was unchanged for those with wild-type PIK3CA colorectal cancer. Abstract: New England Journal of Medicine, October 25,...

Colorectal Cancer Surgery

by admin | Jul 9, 2012

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Animation provided by:...

High Variation in Colon Cancer Treatment

by Physicians Weekly | Jun 19, 2012

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers, colon cancer treatment appears to vary significantly in the United States. Guideline-based treatment was most likely to be provided to patients with stage I disease (96%), when compared with patients with stage II (low risk, 66%; high risk, 36%), stage III (71%), or stage IV (73%) disease. Across all stages, factors associated with guideline adherence included: Age. Comorbidities. Later year of diagnosis. Insurance Status. The study authors noted that the impact of non-adherence to guidelines on patient outcomes requires further research. Abstract: Journal of Clinical Oncology, March 20,...

CRC & Follow-Up Screening

by admin | Jan 26, 2009

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who undergo potentially curative surgery have been shown to have an increased risk of disease recurrence. To reduce this risk, several professional societies have issued guidelines that specify a combination of regularly scheduled office visits, colonoscopy, and the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test to detect changes that could indicate a recurrence. The hope is that early detection of recurrence can enable clinicians to treat patients appropriately and prolong their lives. Unfortunately, studies show that some patients may not receive these services as recommended. In fact, others may be sent for CT or PET scans even though they...