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Colon Cancer Home |
Survival Rates |
Medical Staff |
Nurse Coordinator |
Diagnostics |
Treatment & Technology |
Case Conferences |
Clinical Trials |
Support Groups |
Cancer Education |
Patient Stories
Winning Against Colon Cancer
For more than a decade, Hoag Cancer Center has maintained the highest volume colon cancer program in Orange County. With a multidisciplinary approach that includes prevention, early detention, the use of standard and promising new therapies, participation in laboratory and clinical research, and extensive complementary care, the team at Hoag Cancer Center provides colon cancer patients with every diagnostic and therapeutic advantage.
Hoag’s comprehensive site-specific colon cancer program provides:
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Survival Rates
The superior care provided to Hoag colon cancer patients is most clearly illustrated by the cancer center’s exceptional survival rates. The five-year year relative survival rate for Hoag colon cancer patients is 11 percentage points higher than the most recent national figure (75% vs. 64%).
These statistics show striking improvement in colon cancer relative survival rate which is most likely related to better screening and the increased use of adjuvant chemotherapy.
As shown above, survival for Hoag colon cancer patients has steadily improved, while there has been minimal improvement in national survival. In fact, Hoag patients have achieved better survival outcomes than nationally for every stage of colon cancer, as shown in the graph below.
This graph shows that more Hoag patients were diagnosed at an earlier stage of disease than nationally, and that the survival for Hoag patients diagnosed with local or regional disease was better than the national survival statistics.
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Medical Staff Expertise
Hoag’s expert team of board certified colon cancer surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists provides the latest in state-of-the-art surgical procedures and treatment options for patients with colon cancer.
As part of Hoag’s multidisciplinary approach to colon cancer, the medical team conducts twice monthly GI cancer case conferences in which experts from multiple disciplines gather together to review cases from every angle to ensure that the latest knowledge in cancer treatment is applied.
Additionally, Hoag’s expert medical staff is complemented by its highly trained team of oncology nurses. Dedicated to delivering patient-centered care, Hoag’s nursing staff ranks among the nation’s top nurses, as validated by Hoag’s designation as a Magnet™ hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Hoag-Affiliated Colon Cancer Experts
Obtaining your cancer care from a medical team that treats a high volume of patients with your specific cancer type has its advantages – namely, successful patient outcomes.
Studies show that physicians who treat large numbers of patients with a specific disease achieve better patient outcomes. During 2005 and 2006, 285 colon cancer surgeries were performed at Hoag. Together, two board certified colon/rectal surgeons, Drs. Ng and Rad, performed more than one third of those surgeries.
A national standard of quality in colon cancer surgery is that the number of lymph nodes removed should be 12 or higher. Quality studies at Hoag show that an average of 16 lymph nodes are removed in colon resections. Between 1998 and 2005, Drs. Ng and Rad both averaged 19 lymph nodes removed per colon resection. During 2005 and 2006, five Hoag-affiliated medical oncologists in good standing with Hoag Cancer Center managed the majority of colon cancer patients for whom a medical oncologist was identified: Drs. Mahdavi, Vandermolen, Barth, Fong, and Nanci.
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Diagnostics
While colonoscopy remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of colon cancer, other radiographic tests are important in determining whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the original site.
Utilizing highly sophisticated technologies, Hoag radiologists acquire detailed images that help define the extent of colon disease, thereby assisting the GI cancer team in the development of the most effective treatment plan for each individual patient.
These advanced imaging studies include:
In addition to radiographic imaging, endoscopic studies play a major role in the diagnosis and staging of colon cancer. Hoag’s state-of-the-art Advanced Endoscopy Center serves more than 11,000 patients per year. Diagnostic and therapeutic treatments include EGD (upper endoscopy), colonoscopy, EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography).
Hereditary Cancer Assessment
It is estimated that about five percent of all colon cancer occurs due to inherited cancer genes. Hoag’s Hereditary Cancer Program offers a genetics counseling program and genetic testing for HNPCC and FAP, as well as other genes associated with colon cancer.
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Treatment/Technology
Hoag Cancer Center’s expert medical team works together to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient. Surgery (including minimally invasive surgical options), systemic therapy and appropriate use of radiation therapy comprise Hoag’s comprehensive approach to colon cancer.
Hoag’s commitment to providing comprehensive cancer care has resulted in a five-year relative survival rate for colon cancer patients that is 11 percentage points higher than national figures.
Surgery
Surgical resection is usually the first treatment modality for colon cancer patients. Increasingly, this is being done via laparoscopy to minimize the extent of surgery. This minimally invasive surgical technique allows surgeons to utilize innovative scopes and imaging tools to view and operate within the abdomen through several small incisions, rather than a large open incision.
Laparoscopic surgery is associated with shorter hospital stays, less post-operative pain and faster recovery times than traditional open procedures. Additionally, laparoscopic colon surgery has been shown to result in cancer survival rates that are equal to traditional open procedures.
During 2005 and 2006, 285 colon cancer surgeries were performed at Hoag. Together, two board certified colon/rectal surgeons, Drs. Ng and Rad, performed more than one third of those surgeries.
As an indicator of the quality of surgical resections and pathology support, colon cancer surgeries performed at Hoag show an average of 16 lymph nodes removed (national standard is 12). Between 1998 and 2005, Drs. Ng and Rad both averaged 19 lymph nodes removed per colon resection.
Radiation Oncology
Hoag Cancer Center’s radiation oncology program is another example of the center’s commitment to excellence in colon cancer treatment. The entire first floor of the cancer center is dedicated to radiation oncology, where its highly specialized team of medical experts deliver the latest in state-of-the-art radiation therapy to patients.
The most progressive options available for colon cancer patients include:
- 3-D conformal radiation therapy
- IMRT for selected patients
During a consultation with a radiation oncologist, the options best suited to the individual patient are discussed.
Hoag’s radiation oncology program offers a full spectrum of leading-edge radiation treatment options. For a complete list of radiation oncology services, please click here.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic therapy is an important component of care for many colon cancer patients. Hoag Cancer Center’s medical staff includes 30 board certified medical oncologists. Each of these specialists is committed to providing the latest in systemic therapy options to patients.
Treatment of Metastatic Disease
Although it is uncommon to detect metastatic colon cancer at the time of diagnosis, about 15 percent of patients do have demonstrable metastases at diagnosis, and up to 50 percent may eventually be diagnosed with metastases, especially to the liver.
Systemic chemotherapy is typically used in the treatment of such patients, but increasingly, local therapies are being used to eliminate certain sites of metastatic colon cancer.
For patients with small numbers of metastases to the liver, surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and tomotherapy are all treatment options, in addition to systemic therapy or intrahepatic chemotherapy.
Isolated lung metastases may be treated by surgical resection, preferably video-assisted thoracic surgery, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation or radiation therapy.
Bone metastases are typically treated with radiation therapy, whereas brain metastases can usually be effectively treated by Gamma Knife.
With the availability of all these treatment options, the outlook for patients with metastatic cancer is more hopeful than ever.
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Multidisciplinary GI Cancer Case Conferences
Hoag’s multidisciplinary GI Cancer Case Conferences provide collaborative prospective treatment planning for colon cancer patients.
The twice monthly GI Cancer Case Conference brings together a variety of medical specialists including colorectal cancer surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, a genetic counselor and support staff to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment planning for patients with colon cancer.
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Clinical Trials
Currently, there are no clinical trials open for colon cancer. To learn more about Hoag Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials Department, please click here.
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GI Cancer Support Group
The GI Cancer Support Group provides a unique forum in which patients are able to share concerns, and learn more about colon cancer and its treatment. The group meets once a month and is open to newly diagnosed patients, patients undergoing active treatment and patients who have completed treatment. The group , features educational presentations alternating with open discussions.
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Cancer Education
To learn more about rectal cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute Website.
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Patient Stories
This area is currently under development.
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