Needs Statement
Gastrointestinal cancers are expected to account for 263,060 of the approximately 1.4 million cancers projected in the US this year. While five-year survival rates for gastrointestinal cancers have shown improvement over the last several decades, approximately 130,000 people with gastrointestinal cancer will die in the US this year.[1]
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women, accounting for ten percent of all deaths from cancer. Colonoscopy remains the front-line diagnostic tool for prevention and diagnosis of colorectal cancer;[2] however, only 39% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in the earliest stages.[3]
Non-colorectal cancers have consistently higher mortality rates than colorectal cancers, in part due to the absence of effective tools for early diagnosis combined with the relatively late onset of symptoms. For example, pancreatic cancer represents just two percent of all new cancers; however, it accounts for six percent of all cancer deaths. Despite some advances in therapy regimens, which can prolong life, the prognosis for a patient with pancreatic cancer is very poor.[4]
There are few educational opportunities that address gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management in a multidisciplinary forum. For this reason, the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium is designed to educate and update physicians on the latest research findings related to gastrointestinal cancers. Physicians and other professionals involved with cancer care and research need access to advances in the state of research and treatment for gastrointestinal cancers in order to provide quality care to patients and improve outcomes. This meeting will provide a forum for the dissemination and discussion of research and treatment developments for gastrointestinal cancers.
[1] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2006. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2006.
[2] Herbst RS, et al. Clinical Cancer Advances 2005: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention and Screening – A Report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J. Clin Oncol 24: 1-16, 2006.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2006. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2006.
[4] Herbst RS, et al. Clinical Cancer Advances 2005: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention and Screening – A Report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J. Clin Oncol 24: 1-16, 2006.
Target Audience
This symposium is designed for individuals with clinical and/or research interests in the prevention, screening, evaluation, and management of gastrointestinal cancers, including radiologists; gastroenterologists; medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; pathologists; translational-oriented laboratory scientists; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; and all other health care professionals involved in clinical care and research in the area of gastrointestinal cancers.
Learning Objectives
After this symposium, participants will be better able to
- Discuss the current use of molecular markers and diagnostic strategies for the prevention, screening, and diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers
- Employ the use of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, used in the multimodality treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancers
- Examine the use of new agents (molecular and cytotoxic) for advanced disease and identify new biologic targets for both early and late stage gastrointestinal cancers. When appropriate, implement new or revised therapeutic strategies based on this information.
- Identify and utilize tools for risk assessment and risk reduction through chemoprevention and other prevention strategies
- Analyze results from key U.S. and international cooperative group trials attempting to define standard of care treatments for gastrointestinal cancers
CME Accreditation Statement
The American Society of Clinical Oncology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The American Society of Clinical oncology designates this educational activity for a maximum of 23 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclaimer and Unlabelled Usage Statement
The information presented is that of the contributing faculty and does not necessarily represent the views of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and/or any named commercial entity providing financial support. Specific therapies discussed may not be approved and/or specified for use as indicated by the faculty presenters. Therefore, before prescribing any medication, please review the complete prescribing information including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and adverse effects.
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