colorectal cancer Flashcards
why is MRI not used for staging in colon cancer but is used for rectal cancer?
MRI is used in rectal cancer to demonstrate how far into the rectal wall the cancer has invaded.
what is median survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer?
2 years
what stage rectal cancer is chemotherapy generally used?
Stage III. It is sometimes used in stage II disease.
for what stages of rectal cancer is radiation therapy used?
stage II and III
what biomarkers should be tested for metastatic colon cancer?
KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, and HER2 mutations
the best-known oncogene with the highest mutation rate among all cancers and is associated with a series of highly fatal cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and colorectal cancer (CRC)
KRAS Kirsten rat oncogene
the most common oncogenes in human cancer; mutations that permanently activate it are found in 20 to 25% of all human tumors and up to 90% in certain types of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer).
RAS family of genes (KRAS, NRAS, HRAS)
When is surgery indicated prior to systemic therapy in metastatic colon cancer?
bowel obstruction or clinically significant bleeding
why does rectal cancer have an increased risk of local recurrence compared to colon cancer?
pelvic anatomy
when is radiation used in treatment of colorectal cancer?
stage II and III rectal cancer
what adverse effects are more common with treatment of rectal cancer?
GI, urinary, and sexual effects, both short and long term
what colorectal cancer therapy has these potential adverse effects: bleeding, delayed wound healing, proteinuria, thromboembolic disease, hypertension, and bowel perforation
anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy. Monitor BP and urinalysis.
what colorectal cancer therapy has these potential adverse effects: acneiform skin rash, diarrhea, hypomagnesemia
anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Monitor CMP.
what colorectal cancer therapy has these potential adverse effects: pruritis, dry skin, diarrhea, pneumonitis, thyroid dysfunction and other endocrinopathies, and hepatitis
Immunotherapy. Monitor thyroid function, transaminases, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, glucose (TSH, free T4, metabolic panel).
what biomarker should be checked for all stages of colon and rectal cancer?
MMR deficiency
