Insights

JULY 12, 2011

Colorectal Cancer 2011: Updates in the Biology and Treatment

Zev Wainberg, MD

Colorectal cancer continues to be a significant and frequently occurring disease with over 150,000 cases diagnosed annually. For an individual patient, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is always a life-altering, frightening experience. New treatments are being investigated at a rapid pace and biomarkers are being validated which advise about the most appropriate therapies. The circumstances can often be overwhelming and difficult for those affected by colon cancer. Dr. Wainberg helps demystify the complexity by clarifying the basic approach to systemic colon and rectal cancer management and shedding light on some important controversies.  Clinical trials of chemotherapy and targeted agents are an important resource for patients to access the latest novel treatments and he outlines some of the trials that are ongoing and the results of the most recent trials. The goal of this presentation is to help patients and their families understand the disease, treatment options and new approaches and how to apply them to the individual patient with colorectal cancer.
 
Zev Wainberg, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA.  As a medical oncologist who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, Dr. Wainberg has an active practice and has many clinical trials devoted to these diseases.  He is actively involved in designing and leading multiple clinical trials that are aimed at identifying the right patient populations for colorectal cancer therapies.