Genetic prognostic markers for colorectal cancer
Article Abstract:
Genetic testing may identify genetic features of colorectal cancer that affect the patient's prognosis. One such feature is microsatellite instability. Microsatellite instability is a variation in the length of short DNA sequences in genes. This in turn is caused by a gene mutation affecting enzymes that repair DNA mismatches. Ninety percent of people with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer have microsatellite instability. A 1999 study found that patients with microsatellite instability have a better prognosis than other patients. This means that genetic tests can identify these patients.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2000
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Tumor microsatellite instability and clinical outcome in young patients with colorectal cancer
Article Abstract:
Tumor microsatellite instability appears to improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. Microsatellite instability occurs in genes when certain DNA sequences become unstable and likely to mutate. Research has shown that this often occurs because patients have a defect in the gene that repairs DNA mismatches that occur during DNA replication. In a study of 607 patients with colorectal cancer, 17% had tumor microsatellite instability. These patients had longer survival rates and a decreased risk of the tumor spreading to other parts of the body.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2000
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Risk of leukemia after platinum-based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer
Article Abstract:
Chemotherapy using platinum compounds appears to increase the risk of future cancer. Of 28,971 women who received cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy for ovarian cancer between 1980 and 1993, 96 subsequently developed leukemia. Researchers compared the rate of leukemia in these 96 women with the rate in 272 women treated for ovarian cancer who did not develop leukemia. Platinum compounds increased the risk of leukemia about four-fold. However, the number of women who developed leukemia after platinum chemotherapy was still very small.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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