Minimally Invasive Surgery Shown Safe And Effective Treatment For Rectal Cancer Nov 12, 2009
11, 2009) Laparoscopic surgery has been used in the treatment of intestinal disorders for close to 20 years, but its benefits have only recently begun to be extended to people with rectal cancer. In a prospective study of 103 patients who underwent straightforward or "hand-assisted" laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, a team of colon and rectal surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has shown that the minimally invasive approach can be as effective as... (Science Daily)
Suit: Man 'Unnecessarily' Given an Artificial Rectum Oct 22, 2009
A man is claiming a hospital misdiagnosed him with rectal cancer and then "unnecessarily gave him an artificial rectum," Agence France-Presse reported. The man, who lives in Japan, underwent surgery in March to remove his "tumor," but was later told no cancer cells were found. (Fox News)
Amesbury Relay raises thousands of dollars, awareness Sep 26, 2009
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is, by far, the most common fatal cancer in men (30 percent), followed by prostate (9 percent), and colon and rectal cancer (9 percent). In women, lung cancer (26 percent), breast cancer (15 percent), and colon and rectal cancer (9 percent) are the leading sites of cancer death. (Amesbury News, MA)
New Blood Tests May Detect Colon Cancer Sep 24, 2009
One in 17 people will develop colorectal cancer in his or her lifetime ... Louwagie and colleagues collected blood samples from 193 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and 688 people who were undergoing colonoscopies ... The researchers studied daily blood samples from 185 people with colon cancer, 190 people with rectal cancer, 91 gastric cancer patients, and 51 tumor-free volunteers. (CBS News -- Health)
New Blood Tests Promise Simple Cancer Detection Sep 22, 2009
Colorectal cancer effects around one in every 17 people and is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe, where a total of 560,000 people develop the disease each year, and 250,000 die from it ... Stein and colleagues from the ECRC Charite University of Medicine and the Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin looked at daily blood samples from 185 colon cancer patients, 190 with rectal cancer and 91 gastric cancer patients ... Louwagie's team... (Newsmax)
Patrick Swayze Hospitalized With Pneumonia Sep 15, 2009
Long considered the gold standard in screening for colon and rectal cancer, a new study finds that many colonoscopies only find as little as 60% of cancer cases. Dr. Jon LaPook reports. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
New Method Takes Aim At Aggressive Cancer Cells Aug 18, 2009
(June 6, 2007) Researchers have identified the cancer stem cells that propagate tumors in colon and rectal cancer, a discovery that could lead to improved treatment of this deadly. (May 27, 2008) Stem cell researchers have identified a type of leukemia stem cell and uncovered the molecular and genetic mechanisms that cause a normal blood stem cells to become cancerous. (Science Daily)
Who is controlling whom? Aug 10, 2009
"To answer, let me ask you some questions in response: (1) Why does Japan have a higher survival rates for colon and rectal cancers among men than men in the United States?(2) Why does France have a higher survival rates for colon and rectal cancer among women than women in the United States do?(3) In the United States, why is the survival rate for most cancers so low in New York City and so high in Hawaii?If you know the answer, please contact the cancer research center nearest to you. But, it... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Miami's Moncur tries to put anguish behind him Aug 9, 2009
And Moncur's mother Edwina, 42, died last year, not long after being diagnosed with rectal cancer. "He lost his best friend," said Benny Moncur, the player's father. (ESPN -- College Football News)
Prevention may save lives, but not money Aug 5, 2009
Under the House plan, patients could receive free an initial physical exam, diabetes screening tests, blood tests for heart disease, mammography, pap smears, bone mass measurements, flu and pneumonia vaccines, screenings for colon and rectal cancer, and ultrasound screenings for abdominal aortic aneurysm. It would also require insurers to waive cost sharing for preventive services recommended by a national task force. (MSNBC -- Health)
Amgen Announces KRAS Safety Update to U.S. Prescribing Information for Vectibix(R) (Panitumumab) Jul 18, 2009
Class Labeling Recognizes KRAS as a Predictive Biomarker for anti-EGFr Antibody Monotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ... This decision follows the FDA's December 2008 Oncologics Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting where the clinical utility of the KRAS gene as a predictive biomarker in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with anti-EGFr antibody was discussed ... The INDICATION AND USAGE section of the prescribing information has been updated to include that... (PR Newswire)
Colon Cancer Survival Jul 14, 2009
Cancer that occurs in the last six inches of the colon is called rectal cancer. These two cancers are commonly called colorectal cancer ... The National Cancer Institute has supported other studies that indicate that people who take aspirin and similar medications for arthritis and other conditions have fewer incidents of polyps and colorectal cancer. (Suite101.com)
115 Newly Identified Genes Implicated In Colorectal Cancer Jul 2, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2009) Previously, only a few genes had been associated with the formation of metastases in colorectal cancer ... The National Cancer Institute estimates that, alone in the United States, 106,100 cases of colon cancer will occur and 49,920 patients will die both from colon and rectal cancer in 2009 ... Beginning in glands in the bowel lining, colorectal cancer often remains undiscovered initially. (Science Daily)
How Much Is Life Worth? The $440 Billion Question Jul 1, 2009
They ask, "Is an additional 1.7 months [the additional overall survival for colorectal cancer patients treated with cetuximab] a benefit regardless of costs and side effects?" ... 4, 2008) A new study shows that preoperative treatment for rectal cancer shouldn't be a "one sized fits all approach." After reviewing nine recent studies, investigators concluded that physicians need to. (Science Daily)
Study finds improved communication encourages patients to seek colorectal cancer screening Jun 30, 2009
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Improved communication among patients and primary care physicians increases the chances those due for colorectal cancer screening will follow their doctors' advice and complete the procedure, a University at Buffalo study has found ... Physician recommendation and knowing someone who has or had cancer were the most common factors motivating patients' decisions to complete colorectal cancer screening, the study concludes ... "Any proper attempt to allay patient fears associated... (EurekAlert!)
Study Finds Possible Genetic Indicator of Colorectal Cancer Jun 20, 2009
THURSDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they may be moving closer to developing a genetic test for colorectal cancer that could indicate who needs a more advanced colonoscopy screening ... The American Cancer Society estimates that 106,100 new cases of colon cancer and 40,870 cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year ... Among other things, colonoscopies might not detect small polyps, and their success depends on the skill of the person performing the... (MEDLINEplus)
'A sad case': Woman chooses herbals over surgery Jun 17, 2009
Now doctors were saying she needed her colon removed to treat her rectal cancer. Barely 50 years old, she would have to wear a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. (North County Times)
Colorectal Cancer Rates Rising for Under 50 Set Jun 16, 2009
MONDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Despite a steady decline in colorectal cancer rates in the United States in the past two decades, new research indicates that the disease is actually on the upswing among people younger than 50 ... "In recent years, we've been thinking we've been doing pretty well because colorectal cancer incidence has been declining overall," said the study's lead author Rebecca L. Siegel, a manager of surveillance information in the department of surveillance and health... (MEDLINEplus)
Most cancer patients seek natural remedies Jun 16, 2009
Donna Flasch holds a photo of her sister Leslee Flasch, who died of rectal cancer at age 53 after rejecting surgery and turning to a special diet and supplements ... Her rectal cancer potentially curable earlier on had invaded bones, tissue, muscle, skin ... Patient Leslee Flasch, 53, reliedon dietary supplements for rectal cancer until it was too late. (MSNBC -- Health)
Sixty percent of cancer patients try nontraditional med Jun 6, 2009
Her rectal cancer potentially curable earlier on had invaded bones, tissue, muscle, skin. The 53-year-old Florida woman could barely sit, and constantly bled and soiled herself. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Avastin Shows No Benefit Against Early Stage Colon Cancer Jun 2, 2009
SATURDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- The cancer drug Avastin, widely used for lung, breast and metastatic colorectal cancers, appears ineffective for patients with early stage colon cancer, a result the trial's lead author called "disappointing." ... "In adjuvant settings when the disease is gone, the question is how to we use biologics.'' "I would be concerned about side effects," added Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. Despite its vaunted status in... (MEDLINEplus)
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Reports Positive Data from a Randomized, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Combination Study of KRX-0401 (Perifosine) in the Treatment of Advanced Metastatic Colon Cancer Jun 1, 2009
Ron Bentsur, Chief Executive Officer of Keryx, commented, "Patients with advanced metastatic colon cancer, who fail standard first and second line treatment, are truly in need of additional therapies. We are excited about the data as the combination of perifosine and capecitabine, two oral agents, appears to demonstrate superior clinical benefit over capecitabine alone in this advanced patient population. We will now explore plans to move this program forward in patients with advanced colorectal... (PR Newswire)
Preoperative Briefing Improves Communication, Reduces Errors May 27, 2009
4, 2008) A new study shows that preoperative treatment for rectal cancer shouldn't be a "one sized fits all approach." After reviewing nine recent studies, investigators concluded that physicians need to. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Surprise 'Spark' For Pre-cancerous Colon Polyps May 20, 2009
According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer each year in the United States. Colon and rectal cancers together claim 49,960 lives in the country annually ... 15, 2008) Colorectal adenomas, the precursor polyps in virtually all colorectal cancers, occur infrequently in younger adults, but the rate sharply increases after age 50. (Science Daily)
Fawcett friend: No one has given her timetable May 19, 2009
"Not with anal cancer. I have seen it with other GI malignancies such as rectal cancer," Song said. "But anal cancer is a little bit more difficult to treat.". (CNN -- US)
New 'Incisionless' Surgical Technique Introduced by South Florida Doctor at Delray Beach Medical Center May 15, 2009
Additionally, about 150,000 people annually are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, and often require surgery to treat the disease. Other colorectal conditions requiring surgery affect hundreds of thousands of patients each year. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Cancer-obesity Link Could Aid Prevention Efforts May 7, 2009
More than a million have been diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in the U.S. as of 2006, the National Cancer Institute reported ... 18, 2007) A clear, direct link between obesity and colorectal cancer has been shown in a new analysis ... The report shows that obese individuals have a 20% greater risk of developing colorectal cancer compared. (Science Daily)
Hospital Volume Imperfect Gauge of Cancer Surgery Outcomes May 6, 2009
The studies included more than 1 million patients with esophageal, gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, colon or rectal cancer. The review authors found a significant association between hospital case volume and death risk for five of the six cancer types. (MEDLINEplus)
* When cancer gets in the way of family planning Apr 28, 2009
In December 2007, Margaret Kresge Poe of Atlanta was 32 and getting ready to start a family with her husband when she was shocked to discover that what she thought were hemorrhoids was stage 3 rectal cancer. The proposed treatment X surgery, chemotherapy and pelvic radiation X would have left her unable to bear children, yet the doctor never mentioned an effect on her fertility. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
A kernel-based integration of genome-wide data for clinical decision support Apr 28, 2009
We apply this framework to two cancer cases, namely, a rectal cancer data set containing microarray and proteomics data and a prostate cancer data set containing microarray and genomics data ... For the rectal cancer outcomes, the highest leave-one-out (LOO) areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were obtained when combining microarray and proteomics data gathered during therapy and ranged from 0. (BioMed Central)
China Sky One Medical, Inc. Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2008 Results Apr 16, 2009
In March, the Company announced that it received SFDA approval to manufacture two new drugs, Calcium Folinate injection, intended as an auxiliary therapy for sprue, (a disease of the small intestine), infancy- related megaloblastic anemia, and colonic and rectal cancer; and Policresulen vaginal suppositories indicated for the treatment of cervical erosion, cervicitis, and various vaginal inflammations. 2009 Outlook. (PR Newswire)
Colorectal Cancer Risk Appears Unaffected by Coffee Apr 15, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Coffee is not significantly associated with a decreased risk of colorectal, colon, or rectal cancer, contrary to the results of previous trials that found a possible protective effect of coffee against these cancers, according to the results of a review of studies published in the International Journal of Cancer. "An inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer has been found in several case-control studies," but the association was... (MEDLINEplus)
Flax Inhibits Colorectal Tumors Apr 8, 2009
The study has important implications for human health, because colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. In 2008, 108,070 new colon cancer and 40,740 new rectal cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States, while colorectal cancers caused 49,960 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. (Newsmax)
Medical center introduces high-definition endoscopy center Apr 8, 2009
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women combined in the U.S. and our new center will assist our physicians and staff in identifying, treating and/or reducing the prevalence of these diseases in our community ... The American Cancer Society reports that colon and rectal cancer killed 49,960 Americans in 2008 ... The ACS recommends that beginning at age 50, both men and women should be screened for colon and rectal cancer. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Racial Disparities In Cancer Mortality Rates Between Blacks And Whites Quantified Mar 23, 2009
19, 2008) Despite unprecedented progress in reducing incidence and death rates from colorectal cancer, the gap between blacks and whites continues to grow, says a new report from the American Cancer ... (May 13, 2008) Black patients and white patients are seeing rectal cancer specialists at similar rates, but blacks are still less likely to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy, according to a new. (Science Daily)
Pitt vaccine to prevent colon cancer being tested in patients Mar 20, 2009
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimated that there were more than 108,000 new cases of colon cancer, nearly 41,000 cases of rectal cancer, and almost 50,000 deaths due to both diseases. (EurekAlert!)
Colorectal cancer preventable through early screening Mar 18, 2009
Colorectal cancer (CRC), also referred to as colon cancer, is one of the most preventable cancers ... Aside from skin cancer colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in this country ... According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) approximately 150,000 cases of colon and rectal cancer were diagnosed last year which led to over 50,000 deaths. (Forest City Summit, IO)
New Staging Technique Might Save Bladders In Some Bladder Cancer Patients Mar 17, 2009
(June 6, 2008) 3T MRI can accurately stage, and help surgeons plan sphincter-sparing surgery in patients with rectal cancer, according to a recent. (Aug. (Science Daily)
Henshaw -- The hazards of everyday living Mar 12, 2009
3 million women that as little as one glass of an alcoholic beverage a day can increase their risk of breast, liver and rectal cancer. This on the heels of another study that clearly indicated that one drink a day for women and two for men helped to ward off heart attacks. (Scituate Mariner, MA)
Rectal Cancer Outcomes Best with Short-Course Radiation Mar 7, 2009
THURSDAY, March 5 (HealthDay News) -- For people with operable rectal cancer, the most effective treatment is a short course of radiation therapy followed by "high-quality surgery," according to a new study. Surgery is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, but just removing the tumor leaves a risk of cancer recurrence in the same area, according to background information ... The study involved 1,350 rectal cancer patients in the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. (MEDLINEplus)
Health institute offers free cancer screening kits Mar 6, 2009
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the United States. An estimated 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed this year, causing a combined total of about 49,960 deaths ... Over the past 15 years, however, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been declining due to screenings through which polyps can be found and removed before becoming cancerous. (Wilmington Advocate, MA)
Women's cancer risk may rise with a few drinks Feb 25, 2009
For example, breast cancer risk increased 12 percent and rectal cancer risk rose 10 percent with each daily drink, which would translate into 11 extra breast cancers per 1,000 women up to age 75 and one extra rectal cancer case per 1,000 women up to age 75. (The researchers estimate that 118 per 1,000 women in this age group develop the types of cancers included in the study. (CNN -- Health)
Daily drink raises cancer risk Feb 25, 2009
The rates for individual cancers varied, with one drink a day causing a 12% rise in the risk of breast cancer, a 10% rise in rectal cancer, a 22% rise in gullet cancer, a 29% rise in mouth cancer and a 44% rise in throat cancer ... On a population scale, this would mean 15 extra cases of these cancers diagnosed for every 1,000 women - comprising 11 breast, one mouth, one rectal cancer and 0. (BBC News -- UK)
People who exercise lower their risk of colon cancer Feb 12, 2009
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer. Each year more than 100,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with colon cancer and about 40,000 are diagnosed with rectal cancer ... They eliminated from consideration any studies that combined both colon and rectal cancer because exercise has not been shown to affect rectal cancer risk including such studies would have led to an underestimation of the effect of exercise on colon cancer risk. (EurekAlert!)
Aspirin use can prevent the growth of colon polyps Feb 11, 2009
WASHINGTON -Taking aspirin daily may cut one's chances of developing the polyps that can lead to colorectal cancer, giving people at high risk for the disease a useful preventive tool, researchers said yesterday. Colon and rectal cancer kills about 630,000 people a year worldwide, and researchers are eager to find ways for people to lower their risk - particularly those with a history of precancerous polyps, also called adenomas ... The people in the four studies all had a history of adenomas or... (Boston Globe)
Rapid-arc treatment Oncologist finds quicker, more effective and safer way to combat prostate cancer Feb 10, 2009
"We can adopt this technology for other tumor sites, such as head and neck and lung cancer, as well as other pelvic tumors, such as rectal cancer," he said. "Again, it goes back to the concept of this technology maximizing the precision of the radiation treatment, thereby leading to less side effects. "We are the only facility in Arizona that has this technology. (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
Cancer can bring out just the wrong words Feb 9, 2009
Carrie Morse, a survivor of rectal cancer, says she can't count the number of people who told her, "God gave you cancer for a reason." Such clich. s can make people feel worse, she says. (USA Today -- News)
Most-wanted Nazi, now dead, found haven in Cairo Feb 7, 2009
In an interview in the family's villa in Baden-Baden, Heim, 53, admitted publicly for the first time that he was with his father in Egypt at the time of his death from rectal cancer. "It was during the Olympics. There was a television in the room, and he was watching the Olympics. It distracted him. He must have been suffering from serious pain," said Heim, who is tall, like his father, with a long mournful face and speaks softly and carefully. (International Herald Tribune)
Colonoscopy Has a 'Right Side' Blind Spot Feb 7, 2009
MONDAY, Dec. 15 (HealthDay News) -- While a colonoscopy is a very effective procedure for combating colorectal cancer, it may not be quite as good as previously thought, a new study suggests ... This means a colonoscopy's success at preventing colorectal cancer deaths seems to lie with its ability to uncover so-called "left-sided" problems ... The American Cancer Society says colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. (MEDLINEplus)
