UK scientists propose that patients diagnosed with bowel cancer undergo a few chemotherapy sessions before undergoing surgery to remove the tumor.
A study published on Thursday (19/1) in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, shows that this change in treatment strategy can reduce the risk of the disease returning in the following two years by about 28%. The standard approach adopted is surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Study
Made by scientists from the universities of Birmingham and Leeds, both in England, the research analyzed data from 1,053 patients with bowel cancer from 85 hospitals in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden.
Participants were divided into two groups. The first, with 699 people, underwent six weeks of chemotherapy before having surgery, followed by another 18 weeks of chemotherapy. The second group, meanwhile, had the standard treatment for bowel cancer, with surgery followed by 24 weeks of chemotherapy.
Also known as colon and rectum or colorectal cancer, it encompasses tumors that start in the part of the large intestine – called the colon -, in the rectum and anusGetty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoAccording to data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), it is estimated that the problem caused the death of about 20,000 people in Brazil in 2019 alone.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoThe month of March is dedicated to disseminating information about the disease. If detected early, bowel cancer is treatable and the patient can be cured.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoThe main factors related to a higher risk of developing bowel cancer are: age equal to or above 50 years, excess body weight and diet low in fruits, vegetables and fiberGetty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoInflammatory bowel diseases such as chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease also increase the risk of bowel cancer, as well as inherited diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-drawingOther factors include a family history of bowel cancer, a personal history of bowel, ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer, and smoking and alcohol consumption.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoThe symptoms most associated with bowel cancer are: blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or discomfort, weakness and anemia, weight loss without an apparent cause, change in stool and abdominal mass (tumor).Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoDiagnosis requires biopsy (examination of a small piece of tissue taken from the suspicious lesion). The sample is taken by means of a device introduced through the rectum (endoscope)Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-drawingTreatment mainly depends on the size, location and extent of the tumor. When the disease is widespread, with metastases to the liver, lung or other organs, the chances of cure are reduced.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoSurgery is usually the initial treatment, removing the affected part of the bowel and the lymph nodes within the abdomen. Other stages of treatment include radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, to reduce the possibility of the tumor returning.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoThe maintenance of adequate body weight, the practice of physical activity, as well as a healthy diet are fundamental for the prevention of bowel cancer.Getty Images
***bowel-cancer-photoIn addition, the consumption of processed meats should be avoided (for example sausage, mortadella, sausage, ham, bacon, turkey blanquet, turkey breast, salami) and limit the consumption of red meat to 500 grams of cooked meat per weekGetty Images
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Those who received chemotherapy before surgery were significantly less likely to be re-diagnosed within the next two years compared with others.
“Timing is everything when it comes to treating colon cancer. The simple act of anticipating chemotherapy, administering it before and not after surgery, produces some remarkable results”, pointed out Professor Matthew Seymour, who participated in the research.
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