Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Cancer
Leonard B. Saltz, MD - Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Attending Physician and Member, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancers
Todd Alekshun, MD, Chris Garrett, MD

More Fruits and Veggies, Less Meat Reduces Colorectal Cancer (8/14/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study have reported that individuals who consume a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils, contains sufficient dietary calcium and vitamin D, and is low in solid fats, added sugar, and red meats have a significantly reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer. These results were recently published in the July 1, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Does Not Adversely Affect Quality of Life of Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer (8/11/2008)
Researchers from France have reported that patients 75 years of age or older with Stage III colon or rectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy did not have negative effects on quality-of-life parameters compared with patients not receiving adjuvant therapy. The details of this study appeared in the August 15, 2008 issue of Cancer.

Management of Colonoscopic Perforations Described (8/7/2008)
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that “Colonoscopic perforation occurs in fewer than 1 in 1000 patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.” The details of this retrospective review were published in the July 2008 issue of the Archives of Surgery.

Low Socioeconomic Status Increases Cancer Mortality (7/24/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the Findings from the National Program Registries Patterns of Care Study have reported that low socioeconomic status is associated with a high mortality due to later diagnoses and less aggressive treatments for cancer. The details of this study were reported in the August 1, 2008 issue of Cancer.

Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Lung Tumors (7/22/2008)
Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that the use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer or pulmonary metastases provides an effective and safe therapeutic option for selected patients. These results were recently published in the July 7, 2008 issue of Lancet Oncology.