Choosing the Best Colon Surgery for Lynch Syndrome

Removing the entire colon (subtotal colectomy) is sometimes recommended for patients with Lynch syndrome when colon cancer is diagnosed.  In addition, some people who have an inherited Lynch mutation have their colons removed to prevent colon cancer.

While subtotal colectomy didn’t reduce deaths from Lynch-related colon cancer, it did cut down on additional colorectal cancer diagnoses and the need for other abdominal surgery. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on February 5th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: Lynch syndrome, subtotal colectomy, surgery

No Need to Do Surgery Immediately for Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer

A study from Memorial Sloan Kettering recently showed that patients who have stage IV disease, which means spread to other organs, don’t need to undergo surgery immediately. If the tumor does not cause problems such as obstruction or bleeding, patients appear to do better to start with chemotherapy right away without delay because of the surgery. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on November 5th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 2 Comments »
Tags: metastatic colorectal cancer, surgery, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Repeat Surgery for CRC Lung Mets Successful

Patients who have had one operation to remove lung tumors that have spread from cancer in their colon or rectum can have good outcomes with a second and even third lung surgery. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 30th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: lung metastases, surgery

Primary Colorectal Tumors Can Be Safely Left in Place

When cancer has spread beyond the colon or rectum, the primary colorectal tumor can safely be left in place with only rare complications.

Surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed 233 patients who began chemotherapy without surgery to remove their primary colon or rectal tumor. Almost 90 percent never had a problem with their tumor that needed intervention with surgery, radiation, or a stent. Only 7 percent required emergency surgery. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 7th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: ASCO 2009, metastatic colorectal cancer, surgery

Hope for Everyone on Easter

I have shared some inspiring stories with you of patients in my practice who I think are examples of how colon cancer therapies have changed. Today when patients walk into my practice with metastases only in liver or lungs, I know that I can cure some of them. The way we look at these patients has completely changed. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on April 16th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 20 Comments »
Tags: gene testing, metastatic colorectal cancer, surgery, Treating Colorectal Cancer