(September 20, 2007 - Insidermedicine) Patients with colorectal cancer who are treated with newer drug regimens may survive up to 66% longer, but side effects may be a factor, according to a study published in The Lancet Oncology.

Colorectal cancer affects both the colon and rectum. It is the third most common cancer in men and women in the US and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Caught early, it is often curable.

Here is some additional information about colorectal cancer:
•    It is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age.
•    Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits, and general stomach discomfort.
•    If you are over the age of 50 years, a colonoscopy -- a test that allows a doctor to view the inside of your bowel -- should be performed to detect the presence of small lesions that you may not be aware of.

In the past several years, new chemotherapy drugs have been developed to help patients survive longer. However, according to researchers, it is not known which drug combinations provide the most benefit.

Researchers analyzed close to 250 drug trials conducted over the last 40 years comparing treatment regimens for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

They found that most of the newer drug combinations were better at increasing survival than older ones. The combination of irinotecan plus bevacizumab added an additional 8 months to a patient's life. Caution is needed in interpreting these results, however, since newer and more intense drug regimens can cause serious side effects, including bowel perforation.

Researchers are working hard to find the best therapies to help patients with colorectal cancer live longer. Early diagnosis, though, is the best way to survive the disease. If you are at risk of colorectal cancer, or are 50 or older, you should be screened, since not all patients will have symptoms. If you have blood in your stool or a change in bowel habits, you should contact your doctor.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.