Gastrointestinal Cancer

The FDA has approved Cologuard as the first noninvasive stool-based DNA test for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) in asymptomatic individuals at average risk, based on clinical trial results demonstrating superiority to the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Several new genetic risk markers in pancreatic cancer have been found, scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute announced.

Researchers now have a better idea of how a mismatch in the DNA repair protein can lead to the development of colorectal cancer.

Linda Grush, Illinois chapter president, Debbie's Dream Foundation, explains what happens when a patient with stomach cancer reaches out to the foundation for more information.

The risk for pancreatic cancer dramatically decreases the longer a person takes low-dose aspirin

Martha Raymond, patient support and outreach director, Colon Cancer Alliance, gives an overview of the advocacy organization and some of the services it provides.

Recent studies have established the link between a gastric ulcer and stomach cancer. A gastric or peptic ulcer is a sore that can develop on the walls of the stomach when the protective lining in our stomach stops working.

Colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and only 60% of Americans report being up-to-date with the recommended screening guidelines.

I was diagnosed with stage IV advanced, incurable stomach (gastric) cancer in April 2008 when I was only 40 years old

A noninvasive stool DNA test may be a new option to increase rates of colorectal cancer screening, proving more sensitive in identifying colon cancer, advanced precancerous lesions, and polyps than currently available fecal immunochemical testing (FIT).

The FDA has approved ramucirumab (Cyramza) as a single-agent treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma following fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing therapy.

Patients who had a high Body Mass Index (BMI) before being diagnosed with colorectal cancer had an increased risk of death after diagnosis, even if their tumor harbored the microsatellite instability (MSI) marker

An analysis of phase III, second-line data found that RAS mutations beyond KRAS exon 2 are negative predictive biomarkers for the EGFR-inhibitor panitumumab (Vectibix) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Incidence and mortality has decreased 30% over past 10 years.

Study suggests that more than half of all patients received second and third line therapies.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among African Americans. The CRC mortality rate among African Americans is 29.8% compared with 19.5% among Caucasians.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2013, 142,820 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 72,570 with bladder cancer

PACES trial will evaluate 2 drugs to prevent colon adenomas.

A consensus panel issues a set of discharge warning instructions regarding colorectal surgery.

For Johns Hopkins' gastrointestinal cancer surgeon Mark Duncan, MD, those who help his patients to cope with their diagnosis and manage their often complex treatment and follow-up are critical members of the healthcare team.

Colon cancer is equally as likely as breast and ovarian cancer to be hereditary (approximately 10% of cases, overall) and there are many different genes responsible for these cases.

The iFOBT test examines the stool for hidden blood, which could come from anywhere in the GI tract, and possibly indicates a colon tumor or precancerous growths known as polyps.

Janet Hampton from the University of Michigan Health System Cancer Center Explains the Distress Thermometer Study

Janet Hampton University of Michigan Health System Cancer Center Explains Distress Thermometer Study Results

Janet Hampton Describes the Distress Thermometer

Laura Metcalfe, MSN, RN, APN, C, AOCNS Advanced Practice Nurse, GI Division from John Theurer Cancer Center on Colorectal Screening

Laura Metcalfe, MSN, RN, APN, C, AOCNS Advanced Practice Nurse, GI Division from John Theurer Cancer Center on the Virtual Colonoscopy

Useful Online Resources and Clinical Trials for Liver Cancer

The John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, one of the largest cancer centers in the United States

Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, discusses his book The Emperor of All Maladies.