Chemoradiotherapy after surgery compared with surgery alone for adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction
Article Abstract:
Surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy appear to be more effective than surgery alone in treating stomach cancer, according to a study of 556 patients. Half of the patients developed serious side effects from the chemotherapy or radiation and three patients died from the side effects.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2001
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A pooled analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected colon cancer in elderly patients
Article Abstract:
Elderly patients with colorectal cancer can benefit from surgery followed by chemotherapy without an increased risk of side effects. This was the conclusion of researchers who analyzed seven clinical trials covering 3,351 patients.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2001
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Levamisole and fluorouracil for adjuvant therapy of resected colon carcinoma
Article Abstract:
Colon cancer will affect over 100,000 persons in the United States in 1990, and ranks second as the cause of death due to cancer. It is treated by surgical removal of the diseased tissue, followed by the use of anticancer drugs such as fluorouracil to eliminate remaining cancer cells which are not at a detectable stage of development. One study showed that the combination of fluorouracil and the antiparasitic agent levamisole reduced the recurrence rate of colon cancer. The effects of levamisole and fluorouracil were examined in 1,296 patients who underwent surgery to remove cancerous colon tissue. The colon cancer was either limited to the colon at stage B2 or had spread to the lymph nodes at stage C. Patients who had colon cancer at stage C were divided into two groups: those who received levamisole with and those who received it without fluorouracil. The patients were followed-up for an average of three years. Administration of levamisole and fluorouracil decreased the risk of cancer recurrence by 41 percent in patients with stage C cancer, with an overall death rate of 33 percent. Levamisole alone had no effect on stage C cancer, and its effects in patients with stage B2 colon cancer were inconclusive. Levamisole caused both infrequent toxic effects, including nausea, inflammation of the skin, and leukopenia, and an abnormal decrease in white blood cells. When the two medications were administered in combination therapy, additional side effects included inflammation of the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea. The side effects were not severe and did not prevent patients from taking the medications. The results demonstrate that levamisole and fluorouracil may be useful in treating stage C colon cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1990
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- Abstracts: Cost effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator as compared with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction
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