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 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 ...

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 ...

Background Colonoscopy is a diagnostic fibreoptic investigation that enables growths in the bowel (polyps) to be detected. Some of these polyps can develop into cancer. Although colonoscopy is the most accurate available test for the detection of these growths, some polyps, especially smaller ones, can be missed for a variety of reasons, including ...

Background: Patients with inoperable colorectal cancer (CRC) are likely to receive chemotherapy drugs as their primary treatment. Irinotecan (IRI) and fluoropyrimidines are two such drugs widely used in this setting, either alone or as part of multi-drug chemotherapy treatments. Objectives: Currently, there is lack of evidence comparing the combination ...

Background After surgery for cancer in the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer), most people are intensively followed up for at least five years to monitor for signs of the cancer returning. When this occurs, it usually causes a rise in a blood protein called CEA (carcino-embryonic antigen). An increased level of CEA can be picked up by a blood test, ...

Background Rectal cancer accounts for one-third of all cancers of the large intestine and is an important cause of death worldwide. Radiotherapy and surgery have improved results, but there is still a high proportion of people where the cancer spreads to other parts of the body (distal metastases). In the period before surgery (preoperative period), ...

Background When people have surgery on their abdomen, the digestive system can stop working for a few days. This is called ileus, and can be painful and uncomfortable. There are different causes of ileus, and several ways of treating or preventing it. One possible way of preventing ileus is by chewing gum. The idea is that chewing gum tricks the body ...