Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
06:46
Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
[Multimodality treatment for colorectal cancer].
Claus Rödel1, Thomas Höhler, Rolf Sauer
1Universitätsstrahlenklinik, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland. claus.roedel@kgu.de
Onkologie
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Preoperative radiochemotherapy offers benefits for rectal cancer but doesn't prevent distant metastases. Research is exploring new systemic treatments, including novel chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapies, to improve patient survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
Context:
- Rectal carcinoma staging (UICC stages II and III) benefits from preoperative radiochemotherapy over postoperative therapy.
- Current guidelines recommend neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer.
- Existing preoperative radiochemotherapy does not reduce distant metastasis rates.
Purpose:
- To address the unmet need for improved survival in rectal cancer patients.
- To evaluate novel systemic treatment strategies to reduce distant metastases.
- To explore alternative radiotherapy schedules, such as short-term preoperative radiotherapy.
Summary:
- Preoperative radiochemotherapy is standard for UICC stages II/III rectal cancer, but distant metastasis rates remain a challenge.
- New systemic treatments, including combination chemotherapy (5-FU/FS + oxaliplatin, XELOX) and targeted therapies (bevacizumab, cetuximab), are under investigation.
- Short-term preoperative radiotherapy is an alternative to conventional neoadjuvant radiotherapy, with its benefits and drawbacks requiring individual assessment pending trial results.
Impact:
- Improved survival outcomes for rectal cancer patients.
- Potential reduction in distant metastasis rates.
- Personalized treatment approaches based on individual patient profiles and evolving clinical trial data.
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation.
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...