Howard M. Ross, MD, colon and rectal surgeon, chair of surgery, surgeon in chief, Hackensack University Medical Center, professor, chair, Department of Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, discusses the role of the microbiome colorectal cancer (CRC).

The exploration of the role of the microbiome and how the makeup of bacteria in the colon affect outcomes is an exciting frontier in CRC, Ross explains. As rates of CRC in younger patients have dramatically increased, researchers have struggled to identify exact explanations; however, a combination of the environment and how that affects the microbiome could be a factor, Ross says.

Many health aspects for humans are affected by social determinants, and these need to be a focus for colon and rectal health, Ross continues. Research is ongoing to evaluate how the environment plays a role in the development of CRC, Ross concludes.

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Howard M. Ross, MD, discusses the role of the microbiome colorectal cancer.


Dr. Ross on the Role of the Microbiome in CRC

Howard M. Ross, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon, the chair of Surgery, and surgeon in chief at Hackensack University Medical Center, and a professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, discusses the increase in colon and rectal cancer in young patients.

The treatment of colon cancer continues to change with dramatic changes in multiple areas, Ross says. For example, the increase of colon and rectal cancer in younger patients over the past 40 years has led to a change in practice patterns, Ross explains. 

Any rectal bleeding in patients should always have been followed up by an exam and colonoscopy, Ross notes. Previously, younger patients tended not to receive that recommendation, but they are now being treated more appropriately, Ross concludes.

Howard M. Ross, MD, discusses the increase in colon and rectal cancer in young patients.


Dr. Ross on the Rise of Colon and Rectal Cancer in Young Patients

Howard M. Ross, MD, colon and rectal surgeon, chair of surgery, surgeon in chief, Hackensack University Medical Center, professor, chair, Department of Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, discusses advances in recognizing, screening, and treating patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

One significant change in the field of CRC has been the increasing recognition of disease in younger patients, including those aged 20 to 39 years and 40 to 54 years, Ross explains. The rates of CRC in these age groups have been increasing since the mid-1980s, and recognizing disease earlier has changed practice patterns. For example, all patients with rectal bleeding warrant should receive an exam and subsequent colonoscopy, but many younger patients did not receive that recommendation in years prior, Ross explains.

Another addition to the paradigm has been regarding neoadjuvant therapy and the increasing complete response rates observed, Ross says. Approximately 20% of patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy achieve a complete response; therefore, the watch and wait approach following neoadjuvant therapy is being utilized more frequently for patients who meet certain criteria.

Finally, with the increasing recognition of CRC in younger patients, modalities like Cologuard are being utilized more frequently to provide younger patients with a noninvasive screening method, Ross concludes.

Howard M. Ross, MD, discusses advances in recognizing, screening, and treating patients with colorectal cancer. 



Howard M. Ross, MD

Articles

Dr. Ross on the Role of the Microbiome in CRC

Dr. Ross on the Rise of Colon and Rectal Cancer in Young Patients

Dr. Ross Discusses Advances in Recognizing, Screening, and Treating CRC