Family Histories of CRC Predict Better Survival

In a recent study, cancer recurrence or death occurred in 29% of patients with family histories of CRC, compared with 38% of those without family histories.

Family histories of colorectal cancer (CRC) raise risk for colon cancer in first-degree relatives. How such family histories influence cancer recurrence and survival among CRC patients is not as clear; a U.S. study and a Japanese study produced conflicting results. Now, investigators have reexamined whether nonsyndromic family histories of CRC are associated with better survival in patients with established cancer.

Researchers prospectively studied 1087 eligible patients with stage III colon cancer who participated in a chemotherapy trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute between 1999 and 2001. Participants provided family histories of CRC and were followed for a median of 5.6 years. Study endpoints were disease-free survival and co…

Reviewing Author

Douglas K. Rex, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOlympus Corporation America; Boston Scientific

Speaker’s BureauOlympus

Grant/Research SupportMedtronic; Boston Scientific; Colonary Solutions; Paion Medical; Medivators; Braintree Laboratories

Editorial BoardsWorld Journal of Gastroenterology; The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology; Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Medscape Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Annals of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology; Comparative Effectiveness Research; Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research; Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology; Gastroenterology Research and Practice; GI & Hepatology News; Gastroenterology Report; Clinical Epidemiology Reviews; JSM Gastroenterology and Hepatology; GI Journal Watch; Austin Journal of Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Treasurer); US Multi-Society Task Force (AGA, ACG, ASGE) (Chair)

Douglas K. Rex, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOlympus Corporation America; Boston Scientific

Speaker’s BureauOlympus

Grant/Research SupportMedtronic; Boston Scientific; Colonary Solutions; Paion Medical; Medivators; Braintree Laboratories

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Treasurer); US Multi-Society Task Force (AGA, ACG, ASGE) (Chair)