Cochrane

Background Cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other organs (metastatic colorectal cancer) is a commonly occurring disease that usually cannot be surgically removed. The main treatment is chemotherapy, targeted therapy (such as EGFR inhibitors, the subject of this review), or both. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein ...

Review question What are the benefits and harms of various gases for insufflation (inflation with gas) of the abdominal (tummy) cavity to allow easier access to organs during laparoscopic (key-hole) abdominal surgery? Background Laparoscopic (key hole) surgery is now widely performed to treat various abdominal diseases. An ideal gas for insufflation ...

Review question What are the risks and benefits of early versus delayed removal of appendix in people with symptomatic complicated appendicitis? Background The human appendix is a tube at the connection of the small and the large intestines. Possible functions of the appendix may be to protect the body against infection and to maintain healthy levels ...

Review question How is intussusception best managed in children? Background Intussusception is a medical emergency that occurs in children when a part of the bowel 'telescopes' (folds) into another part of the bowel. This causes pain, vomiting, and obstruction, preventing passage. If left untreated, the bowel can perforate, resulting in passage ...

Review question We reviewed whether glue can reduce chronic pain after surgery, without increasing the postoperative recurrence rate, compared with sutures for mesh fixation in Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair. Background A hernia is a weakness of the abdominal wall and allows escape of soft tissue or internal organs. It usually appears as a ...

Review question We reviewed the ability of chemotherapy drugs (medicines used to treat cancer) to reduce tumour size and improve survival in people with metastatic colorectal cancer who had not responded to a prior treatment. We also looked at the side effects caused by the different drug regimens. Background People with metastatic colorectal cancer ...

We asked Does nutritional supplement of dietary fibre prevent recurrence of precancerous polyps and cancer in the bowel in participants with a history of polyps having been removed to achieve a polyp-free colon at baseline for the intervention. Background Colorectal (bowel) cancer is common worldwide but is especially prevalent in industrialised ...

Protocol: To assess the effect of intermittent systemic therapy versus continuous systemic therapy in terms of survival, toxicity and quality of life in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Protocol: To assess the efficacy and safety of the use of anti-angiogenic agents (VEGF inhibitors) in the adjuvant setting after resection in patients diagnosed with resectable colorectal cancer.This would permit a summary of the safety and effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapies overall, as well as in pre-planned prognostic subgroups, and identify ...

What is the issue? Colorectal cancer affects about 1 in 20 people in developed countries. Most patients (about two thirds) have curable disease. Follow-up after curative treatment usually means visits to the doctor as well as having some tests. Many people believe that follow-up saves lives, but we are not sure how often the patient should see the ...