Active clinical trials for "Colorectal Neoplasms"

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as Cetuximab, can target tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells.This is an anti-cancer drug which has already been approved by the FDA for use in patients who have Colorectal Cancer. Cetuximab can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Radiation Therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue . Giving the drug Cetuximab together with Radiation Therapy may kill more tumor cells. Surgery is the most common treatment for Colorectal Cancer to remove the tumor, as well as a small margin of surrounding normal tissue and possibly nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is usually used in conjunction with other conventional treatments such as Radiation Therapy. Radiation Therapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Radiation Therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. Screening test such as Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and Colonoscopy has to be done. Tumor markers for Colorectal Carcinoma are Carcinoembryonic antigen (CAE) and CA 19-9 and to assess the response of tumor markers Carcinoembryonic antigen (CAE) and CA 19-9 will be used and periodically Colonoscopy has to be done. Colorectal Cancer Surgery are Colon resection (Colectomy), Rectum resection (Proctectomy), Colostomy, and Radiofrequency ablation. PURPOSE: Determine the tumor response rate treated with Cetuximab and Radiation Therapy Vs Surgery before or after Radiation Therapy in patients with Colorectal Cancer from stage II to IV

RATIONALE: Calories and physical exercise may affect the risk of developing cancer. It is not yet known whether a low-calorie diet and/or physical activity program is effective in preventing cancer in participants at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying diet and physical activity in healthy overweight, obese, or inactive participants at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as immunoscintigraphy, using a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody may help find and diagnose colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well immunoscintigraphy using a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody works in finding tumor cells in patients with colorectal cancer.

The Third Eye Retroscope is a device that can be used with a colonoscope to improve the ability of a physician to see areas of the colon that may be hidden from the view of the colonoscope. Previous studies have shown that physicians are able to detect additional polyps when they use the device along with the colonoscope. The purpose of this study is to determine whether physicians can detect greater numbers of additional polyps as they gain in experience with the device.

The immediate objective of this proposal is to assess the effectiveness of a multi-faceted intervention to improve patient-provider communication about colorectal cancer screening in improving patient adherence with colorectal cancer screening recommendations. This intervention consists of: (1) guiding the communication process through patient activation to initiate a colorectal cancer screening discussion; (2) optimizing communication content through the use of a prompt sheet; and (3) cueing the provider to assess patient perception of the communication. The long-term objective of our research program is to maximize colorectal cancer screening rates throughout the VA through widespread adoption of clinically feasible approaches to enhance patient-provider communication.

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain agents to try to prevent the development of cancer. The use of folic acid may be effective in preventing colorectal cancer. Eating a diet rich in folic acid may prevent the development of colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase I trial is studying how well a folate-depleted diet works compared to a folate-supplemented diet in preventing colorectal cancer in patients who are at high risk for developing colorectal cancer.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as capecitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Bevacizumab may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving capecitabine and oxaliplatin together with bevacizumab before and after surgery may be an effective treatment for liver metastases. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving capecitabine and oxaliplatin together with bevacizumab works in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for liver metastases due to colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immune response to MUC1 - poly-ICLC vaccine, an investigational or study vaccine. The MUC1 - poly-ICLC vaccine is being tested in persons with a history of advanced adenomatous polyps, the precursor to colorectal cancer. The MUC1 - poly-ICLC vaccine is being developed to prevent polyps from advancing into colon cancer and to prevent polyps from recurring. MUC1 is mucus that is normally present on the lining of the human colon. However, MUC1 is expressed in a larger amount and in a modified form on adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer. These changes in MUC1 are thought to be part of the process of progression from adenomas toward cancer. The goal of a vaccine is to help the immune system in the body identify the changes in MUC1 that accompany the progression to cancer and eliminate the abnormal cells that make abnormal MUC1.

This is a 36 week dietary intervention pilot study to evaluate the effects of lyophilized black raspberries on rectal polyp burden and biomarkers in subjects with FAP. Subjects will undergo a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy before study treatment to determine eligibility for the study. Eligible participants will undergo a sigmoidoscopy at 36 weeks after the initiation of study treatment. The size and number of rectal polyps will be documented on a code sheet and by photograph. The efficacy outcome will include the percentage reduction in the number of rectal polyps between baseline and 36 weeks.

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of a community-based nurse managed telephone support line (Provincial Health Contact Center; PHCC) and Colorectal Cancer Information and Screening Website in supporting Primary Care Providers (PCP) from Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) in their efforts to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) compliance in average risk men and women 50-74 years of age. Secondary outcomes of the study involve documenting and investigating common patient questions and comments about CRC and the FOBT during their PHCC communication(s)/Website visits as well as procuring feedback from PCP and patients related to their experiences with the study protocol (PCP), FOBT (patients) and PHCC/website (patients).