| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Birgisson, Helgi, 1967-
(författare)
-
Cancer of the Colon and Rectum : Population Based Survival Analysis and Study on Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer
- 2006
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Swedish Cancer Register was used to determine the relative survival rate in colon and rectal cancer and to estimate the occurrence of second cancers related to radiation therapy for rectal cancer. The Swedish Hospital Discharge Register and hospital records were used to estimate the rate of late adverse effects due to radiation therapy for rectal cancer. The whole Swedish population was the source of the survival studies. Patients participating in the Uppsala Trial and the Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial on radiation therapy for rectal cancer constituted the subjects of the studies on late adverse effects and second cancers.The main results of the survival analysis revealed a significant improvement in the 5-year relative survival rate for both colon and rectal cancer. During the time period 1960-1999, the survival improved from 39.6% to 57.2% in colon cancer and from 36.1% to 57.6% in rectal cancer.Patients irradiated for rectal cancer, in addition to surgery, were at increased risk for a second cancer compared to those treated by surgery alone. This risk increase was mainly found for cancers developing in organs within or adjacent to the irradiated target (relative risk (RR) 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–3.79). Furthermore, the most important late adverse effects of radiation therapy seem to be those on the gastrointestinal tract, in the form of small bowel obstruction (RR 1.88; 95%CI 1.10–3.20) and abdominal pain (RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.14–3.23). Overall, the benefit of radiation therapy was greater than its drawbacks, as a large reduction in local recurrences and better survival was noted in patients treated preoperatively with irradiation for rectal cancer.In conclusion, significant improvements in the survival of patients with colon and rectal cancers have occurred in the last decades, especially in patients with rectal cancer. These improvements probably are related to advances in surgical and adjuvant treatment. The radiation therapy has several drawbacks, however, including an increased risk of second cancers and of bowel obstruction. This emphasises the need to further improve the radiation technique and to select only those patients for radiation therapy who are most likely to benefit from it.
|
|
| 3. |
- Birgisson, Helgi, et al.
(författare)
-
Late adverse effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer : a systematic overview
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 46:4, s. 504-516
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: The use of radiation therapy (RT) together with improvement in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer improves survival and reduces the risk for local recurrences. Despite these benefits, the adverse effects of radiation therapy limit its use. The aim of this review was to present a comprehensive overview of published studies on late adverse effects related to the RT for rectal cancer. METHODS: Meta-analyses, reviews, randomised clinical trials, cohort studies and case-control studies on late adverse effects, due to pre- or postoperative radiation therapy and chemo-radiotherapy for rectal cancer, were systematically searched. Most information was obtained from the randomised trials, especially those comparing preoperative short-course 5 x 5 Gy radiation therapy with surgery alone. RESULTS: The late adverse effects due to RT were bowel obstructions; bowel dysfunction presented as faecal incontinence to gas, loose or solid stools, evacuation problems or urgency; and sexual dysfunction. However, fewer late adverse effects were reported in recent studies, which generally used smaller irradiated volumes and better irradiation techniques; although, one study revealed an increased risk for secondary cancers in irradiated patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results stress the importance of careful patient selection for RT for rectal cancer. Improvements in the radiation technique should further be developed and the long-term follow-up of the randomised trials is the most important source of information on late adverse effects and should therefore be continued.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Birgisson, Helgi, et al.
(författare)
-
Microsatellite instability and mutations in BRAF and KRAS are significant predictors of disseminated disease in colon cancer
- 2015
-
Ingår i: BMC Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 15
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Molecular alterations are well studied in colon cancer, however there is still need for an improved understanding of their prognostic impact. This study aims to characterize colon cancer with regard to KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations, microsatellite instability (MSI), and average DNA copy number, in connection with tumour dissemination and recurrence in patients with colon cancer. Methods: Disease stage II-IV colon cancer patients (n = 121) were selected. KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutation status was assessed by pyrosequencing and MSI was determined by analysis of mononucleotide repeat markers. Genome-wide average DNA copy number and allelic imbalance was evaluated by SNP array analysis. Results: Patients with mutated KRAS were more likely to experience disease dissemination (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.28-6.04), whereas the opposite was observed for patients with BRAF mutation (OR 0.34; 95% 0.14-0.81) or MSI (OR 0.24; 95% 0.09-0.64). Also in the subset of patients with stage II-III disease, both MSI (OR 0.29; 95% 0.10-0.86) and BRAF mutation (OR 0.32; 95% 0.16-0.91) were related to lower risk of distant recurrence. However, average DNA copy number and PIK3CA mutations were not associated with disease dissemination. Conclusions: The present study revealed that tumour dissemination is less likely to occur in colon cancer patients with MSI and BRAF mutation, whereas the presence of a KRAS mutation increases the likelihood of disseminated disease.
|
|
| 6. |
- Birgisson, Helgi, et al.
(författare)
-
The correlation between a family history of colorectal cancer and survival of patients with colorectal cancer
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Familial Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1389-9600 .- 1573-7292. ; 8:4, s. 555-561
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose was to analyze survival of patients with colorectal cancer and a positive family history for colorectal cancer in first degree relatives compared with those with no such family history and to determine whether differences in survival could be explained by known clinico-pathological factors. During 2000-2003, 318 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer answered a written questionnaire about their family history for colorectal cancer. During a 6-year follow-up, recurrences and survival were registered. Thirty-one (10%) patients had a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, moreover two patients fulfilled the criteria of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer and were excluded. Patients with a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer had better survival and lower risk for recurrences compared to those with no relatives with colorectal cancer. In a multivariate analysis including age, gender, stage of disease, tumor differentiation, vascular invasion and family history, patients with first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer had lower risks for death (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.17-0.78) and death from cancer (RR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08-0.80), compared to those with a no relative with colorectal cancer. The differences were seen in patients with colon cancer but not rectal cancer. Family history for colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative is an individual prognostic factor in patients with colon cancer and could not be explained by known clinico-pathological factors. The value of family history taking in patients with colon cancer is therefore not only to identify families with hereditary colorectal cancer, but also to add information to the prognosis of the patients.
|
|
| 7. |
- Braendengen, Morten, et al.
(författare)
-
Randomized phase III study comparing preoperative radiotherapy with chemoradiotherapy in nonresectable rectal cancer
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Oncology. - 0732-183X .- 1527-7755. ; 26:22, s. 3687-3694
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is considered standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer, although the scientific evidence for the chemotherapy addition is limited. This trial investigated whether chemotherapy as part of a multidisciplinary treatment approach would improve downstaging, survival, and relapse rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The randomized study included 207 patients with locally nonresectable T4 primary rectal carcinoma or local recurrence from rectal carcinoma in the period 1996 to 2003. The patients received either chemotherapy (fluorouracil/leucovorin) administered concurrently with radiotherapy (50 Gy) and adjuvant for 16 weeks after surgery (CRT group, n = 98) or radiotherapy alone (50 Gy; RT group, n = 109). RESULTS: The two groups were well balanced according to pretreatment characteristics. An R0 resection was performed in 82 patients (84%) in the CRT group and in 74 patients (68%) in the RT group (P = .009). Pathologic complete response was seen in 16% and 7%, respectively. After an R0 + R1 resection, local recurrence was found in 5% and 7%, and distant metastases in 26% and 39%, respectively. Local control (82% v 67% at 5 years; log-rank P = .03), time to treatment failure (63% v 44%; P = .003), cancer-specific survival (72% v 55%; P = .02), and overall survival (66% v 53%; P = .09) all favored the CRT group. Grade 3 or 4 toxicity, mainly GI, was seen in 28 (29%) of 98 and six (6%) of 109, respectively (P = .001). There was no difference in late toxicity. CONCLUSION: CRT improved local control, time to treatment failure, and cancer-specific survival compared with RT alone in patients with nonresectable rectal cancer. The treatments were well tolerated.
|
|
| 8. |
- Breugom, A. J., et al.
(författare)
-
Adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision : a Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) randomized phase III trial
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Annals of Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0923-7534 .- 1569-8041. ; 26:4, s. 696-701
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The discussion on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer patients treated according to current guidelines is still ongoing. A multicentre, randomized phase III trial, PROCTOR-SCRIPT, was conducted to compare adjuvant chemotherapy with observation for rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision (TME). Patients and methods: The PROCTOR-SCRIPT trial recruited patients from 52 hospitals. Patients with histologically proven stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned (1: 1) to observation or adjuvant chemotherapy after preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy and TME. Radiotherapy consisted of 5 x 5 Gy. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of 25 x 1.8-2 Gy combined with 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU/LV (PROCTOR) or eight courses capecitabine (SCRIPT). Randomization was based on permuted blocks of six, stratified according to centre, residual tumour, time between last irradiation and surgery, and preoperative treatment. The primary end point was overall survival. Results: Of 470 enrolled patients, 437 were eligible. The trial closed prematurely because of slow patient accrual. Patients were randomly assigned to observation (n = 221) or adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 216). After a median follow-up of 5.0 years, 5-year overall survival was 79.2% in the observation group and 80.4% in the chemotherapy group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-1.39; P = 0.73]. The HR for disease-free survival was 0.80 (95% CI 0.60-1.07; P = 0.13). Five-year cumulative incidence for locoregional recurrences was 7.8% in both groups. Five-year cumulative incidence for distant recurrences was 38.5% and 34.7%, respectively (P = 0.39). Conclusion: The PROCTOR-SCRIPT trial could not demonstrate a significant benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine monotherapy after preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy and TME on overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence rate. However, this trial did not complete planned accrual.
|
|
| 9. |
- Folkesson, Joakim, 1969-
(författare)
-
Rectal Cancer : Can the Results be Further Improved?
- 2006
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The treatment of rectal cancer is complex and comprises: diagnostic measures; different preoperative treatments; a multitude of surgical and technical choices; possibilities of postoperative treatments and postoperative care and follow up. In this thesis, some aspects of this complex paradigm have been further investigated. One of the most feared complications after rectal cancer surgery is anastomotic leakage. The risk of anastomotic leakage is affected by non-influenceable factors related to the tumour and the patient. In the first paper, the risk of anastomotic leakage in relation to a surgical instrument, the circular stapler, was investigated. The risk of leakage was 7% or 11%, depending on the choice of instrument. In the second paper, a long-term evaluation of survival and local recurrence rates in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial was made. Randomisation was to either preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone. After 13 years median follow-up, survival was 38% in the radiotherapy group and 30% in the surgery alone group. Differences in local recurrence rates were seen in all stages. Most rectal cancer operations carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality. For early stage cancers, a local procedure may be sufficient and in the third paper, population-based results of local excision of rectal cancer were explored. In stage I, cancer specific survival was the same after local excision as after major resection, but the relative survival was lower. The risk of local recurrence was higher after local excision than after resections. In the fourth paper, differences in survival rates in the Nordic countries and Scotland were investigated. The relative excess risk of death was highest in Denmark, but only in the first 90 postoperative days. Through applying already existing knowledge and successively introducing new treatments, the results for rectal cancer treatment will be further improved.
|
|
| 10. |
- Ghanipour, Arezo, et al.
(författare)
-
The prognostic significance of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase in colorectal cancer
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. - 1055-9965 .- 1538-7755. ; 18:11, s. 2949-2956
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) is an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase involved in protein synthesis and regulation of RNA transcription and translation and is an inhibitor of angiogenesis. TrpRS has been shown to be differentially expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and has thus been identified as a potential prognostic marker. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of TrpRS to the prognosis of patients diagnosed and treated for CRC within a defined population. METHODS: With a polyclonal, monospecific IgG antibody, TrpRS expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays with tumors from a population-based CRC cohort (n = 320). Staining intensity and fraction of positive tumor cells were recorded. A Cox multivariate model including TrpRS expression, carcinoembryonic antigen, age, stage, tumor differentiation, and lymphatic and vascular vessel invasion was used to calculate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for time to recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Low expression of TrpRS correlated to increased risk for lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025) and a more advanced tumor stage (P = 0.001). Patients with tumors and increased levels of TrpRS expression had better survival than patients with low expression levels. Multivariate analyses revealed significantly better disease-free survival (relative risk, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.95) for patients with high expression than for patients with low expression of TrpRS. For colon cancer patients, a reduced risk for recurrence was seen in patients with increased TrpRS expression (relative risk, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.80). CONCLUSION: Low expression of TrpRS in tumor tissue correlates with increased risk for recurrence and worse survival in patients with CRC. This can be related to its antiangiogenic properties and could aid in the future selection of new drugs in the treatment of CRC.
|
|
