This could allow us to withhold chemotherapy in these patients. Currently all colorectal cancer patients are treated the same way, usually with chemotherapy. Although the ultimate goal is treating these patients without the toxic chemicals and pain of chemotherapy, the researchers recommend treating both types of colorectal cancer the same way for now. But we should have more definitive answers regarding treatment within a couple of years. The research team used data and tumour samples provided by the Ontario Cancer Registry and over 40 pathology departments in the province to study 650 young colorectal cancer patients treated in Ontario between 1989 and 1993.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in North America.
An estimated 20,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with the disease this year. Steven de Sousa is a news services officer with the Department of Public Affairs.