ABSTRACT
AIMS: Significant improvements in the outcome for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) have been achieved. The median survival for advanced CRC reported in clinical trials now approaches 2 years, but there is often a question as to whether this partly represents patient selection. We aimed to explore whether the availability of new chemotherapy drugs (irinotecan and oxaliplatin) and surgical advances have affected survival in a normal clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the Queen Elizabeth and Lyell McEwin health service prospective CRC database from 1992 to 2004 was carried out to assess outcome differences between two time cohorts (1 January 1992-31 December 1997 and 1 January 1998-31 December 2004). RESULTS: For all patients (n = 744) overall survival was seen to improve over time and is maintained out to 5 years. There have been a number of trends over time (1992-1997 vs 1998-2004) that have probably contributed to this gain; increased overall chemotherapy use (33% vs 43%); use of combination chemotherapy (i.e. oxaliplatin and irinotecan regimens); increased hepatic resection rates (1.9% vs 10.8%) and increased clinical trial uptake (0.6% vs 14.5%). CONCLUSION: This current analysis confirms an improvement in survival over time for advanced CRC and this is seen in unselected patients including those over 70 years of age.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Camptothecin/analogs & derivatives , Camptothecin/therapeutic use , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Irinotecan , Middle Aged , Organoplatinum Compounds/therapeutic use , Oxaliplatin , Survival AnalysisSubject(s)
Bed Occupancy , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , England , Humans , Infant, Newborn , WalesABSTRACT
Low birthweight babies fed standard modified cows' milk formulae are at risk from the high fluid intake needed for adequate nutrition, and very preterm babies often develop late hyponatraemia if the sodium intake fails to match large renal losses. A new cows' milk formula (Cow and Gate Prematalac) provides 120 kcal, 3.6 g protein, 7.5 g fat, and 4 mmol sodium in 150 ml. Ten low birthweight babies were fed the new formula at 150 ml/kg a day and compared with 12 similar babies fed a standard modified cows' milk formula (Wyeth SMA Gold Cap) at 180 ml/kg a day. All the babies grew at intrauterine rates and there was no difference in clinical course. None fed the new formula developed hypernatraemia, oedema, or dehydration and none fed the standard formula developed hyponatraemia. The Prematalac group safely excreted the increased osmotic load and had a higher urinary sodium concentration which should protect less mature preterm infants from late hyponatraemia.
