Here are 10 new studies or technological breakthroughs impacting the practice of gastroenterology.
1. Testing between colonoscopies can help patients with high risk of colorectal cancer. Patients with a family or past history of colorectal cancer should be tested between colonoscopies in order to help detect CRC and advanced tumors that are either missed or develop rapidly. Using fecal occult blood tests at regular internals between colonoscopies is recommended as a strategy to manage risk of CRC.
2. Almost 50 percent of CRC cases are detected in the late stages. A news release by the Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention reports approximately 50 percent of colorectal and cervical cancer cases and 30 percent of breast cancer cases in the country are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease when treatment is more difficult.
3. Daily aspirin taken for five years or longer can effectively reduce the risk of CRC. Researchers with the study said that although several studies already evidence aspirin's association to reduced risk of CRC, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, proof in man is lacking. Results from the studies evidenced reduced risk of CRC, as well as lung, pancreatic, brain, prostate and esophageal cancer.
4. Researchers suggest fecal immunochemical tests is the most cost-effective CRC screening modality. Researchers conducted a cost-analysis of various colorectal cancer screening modalities by comparing guaiac-based fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test annually, fecal DNA every three years, flexibly sigmoidoscopy or computed tomographic colonography every five years and colonoscopy every 10 years.
5. Results from a study show a possible link between CRC and inflammatory markers and anti-inflammatory drugs. After collecting blood samples from more than 32,000 women, results showed plasma levels of the sTNFR-2, not CRP or IL-6, were linked to an increased risk of CRC. Anti-inflammatory drugs seem to reduce the risk of CRC in women with high, not low, baseline levels of sTNFR-2.
6. A New Orleans physician performed the first successful robot-assisted salivary endoscopy. The robot is guided by a miniature salivary endoscope to remove a salivary stone and repair a salivary duct. This technique effectively saves the salivary gland and reduces the amount of blood lost, time spend in a hospital and scarring.
7. Virtual colonoscopies could be a potential alternative to traditional colonoscopies. With virtual colonoscopies, patients are instructed to drink an agent that allowed computerized tomography technology to take images of the colon while it also "virtually cleanses the colon of fecal matter." This eliminates the need for patients to consume heavy laxatives that often result in discomfort.
https://www.beckersasc.com/gastroenterology-and-endoscopy/virtual-colonoscopy-a-possibility-for-increased-patient-comfort.html
8. Cologuard sDNA test may be the most accurate of noninvasive tests for CRC. Mayo Clinic researchers have found the new noninvasive test that detects pre-cancerous polyps and colon tumors is more accurate than current noninvasive tests in the market. The new noninvasive test was able to detect 64 percent of pre-cancerous polyps and 85 percent of colorectal cancers.
9. Researchers find more data supporting belief serrated polyp size, number and histologic features are linked to CRC. Authors of an article published in Gastroenterology point to two studies also published in the journal that debunk the traditional thought that serrated polyps' size, number and histology were "inconsequential" to CRC. In one study, data suggest that serrated polyps may progress to colorectal adenocarcinoma via the serrated neoplasia. Proximal serrated polyps may also be more likely than conventional adenomas to be missed or not entirely removed during colonoscopies. Given this evidence, authors of the article are urging for revisions to current polyp surveillance guidelines.
10. Allopurinol, an inexpensive anti-gout medication, may help stop the progression of colorectal adenomas. Researchers found the presence of colorectal tumor tissue was markedly decreased in patients with colorectal polyps assigned to take allopurinol. Colorectal tumor tissue contain high levels of reactive oxygen metabolites that inhibit programmed cell death, which is a mechanism involved in cancer control.
1. Testing between colonoscopies can help patients with high risk of colorectal cancer. Patients with a family or past history of colorectal cancer should be tested between colonoscopies in order to help detect CRC and advanced tumors that are either missed or develop rapidly. Using fecal occult blood tests at regular internals between colonoscopies is recommended as a strategy to manage risk of CRC.
2. Almost 50 percent of CRC cases are detected in the late stages. A news release by the Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention reports approximately 50 percent of colorectal and cervical cancer cases and 30 percent of breast cancer cases in the country are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease when treatment is more difficult.
3. Daily aspirin taken for five years or longer can effectively reduce the risk of CRC. Researchers with the study said that although several studies already evidence aspirin's association to reduced risk of CRC, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, proof in man is lacking. Results from the studies evidenced reduced risk of CRC, as well as lung, pancreatic, brain, prostate and esophageal cancer.
4. Researchers suggest fecal immunochemical tests is the most cost-effective CRC screening modality. Researchers conducted a cost-analysis of various colorectal cancer screening modalities by comparing guaiac-based fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test annually, fecal DNA every three years, flexibly sigmoidoscopy or computed tomographic colonography every five years and colonoscopy every 10 years.
5. Results from a study show a possible link between CRC and inflammatory markers and anti-inflammatory drugs. After collecting blood samples from more than 32,000 women, results showed plasma levels of the sTNFR-2, not CRP or IL-6, were linked to an increased risk of CRC. Anti-inflammatory drugs seem to reduce the risk of CRC in women with high, not low, baseline levels of sTNFR-2.
6. A New Orleans physician performed the first successful robot-assisted salivary endoscopy. The robot is guided by a miniature salivary endoscope to remove a salivary stone and repair a salivary duct. This technique effectively saves the salivary gland and reduces the amount of blood lost, time spend in a hospital and scarring.
7. Virtual colonoscopies could be a potential alternative to traditional colonoscopies. With virtual colonoscopies, patients are instructed to drink an agent that allowed computerized tomography technology to take images of the colon while it also "virtually cleanses the colon of fecal matter." This eliminates the need for patients to consume heavy laxatives that often result in discomfort.
https://www.beckersasc.com/gastroenterology-and-endoscopy/virtual-colonoscopy-a-possibility-for-increased-patient-comfort.html
8. Cologuard sDNA test may be the most accurate of noninvasive tests for CRC. Mayo Clinic researchers have found the new noninvasive test that detects pre-cancerous polyps and colon tumors is more accurate than current noninvasive tests in the market. The new noninvasive test was able to detect 64 percent of pre-cancerous polyps and 85 percent of colorectal cancers.
9. Researchers find more data supporting belief serrated polyp size, number and histologic features are linked to CRC. Authors of an article published in Gastroenterology point to two studies also published in the journal that debunk the traditional thought that serrated polyps' size, number and histology were "inconsequential" to CRC. In one study, data suggest that serrated polyps may progress to colorectal adenocarcinoma via the serrated neoplasia. Proximal serrated polyps may also be more likely than conventional adenomas to be missed or not entirely removed during colonoscopies. Given this evidence, authors of the article are urging for revisions to current polyp surveillance guidelines.
10. Allopurinol, an inexpensive anti-gout medication, may help stop the progression of colorectal adenomas. Researchers found the presence of colorectal tumor tissue was markedly decreased in patients with colorectal polyps assigned to take allopurinol. Colorectal tumor tissue contain high levels of reactive oxygen metabolites that inhibit programmed cell death, which is a mechanism involved in cancer control.