Introduction
Exciting presentations of new results, important updates of seminal trials, and expert perspectives were featured at the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium held in Orlando, Florida in January. The co-sponsors for the meeting were the American Gastroenterological Association Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and the Society of Surgical Oncology. This newsletter highlights treatment trials important for clinicians caring for patients with GI cancers.

Featured Topics
• Colorectal Cancer
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Pancreatic Carcinoma
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Cell Tumors
• Anal Carcinoma
• Gastric Carcinoma

Editors
Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP, bio | Margaret Tempero, MD, bio

Media: Newsletter
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.5 hours | Release date: March 1, 2010 | Expiration date: February 28, 2011

Statement of Need
Advances in GI cancers have resulted from decades of well-designed clinical trials and new insights into the biology as well as shifts in epidemiology, increasing development of and access to new agents, and rapid advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. The management of GI cancers in recent years has involved increasingly complex, combined-modality treatment approaches. Advances in treatment strategies have affected all the approaches used in GI cancers: radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted agents, and surgery and supports a best practices model of multidisciplinary team involvement. Numerous ongoing trials are assessing the benefits of these and other novel agents, and as such, it is imperative that physicians and allied healthcare professionals (including nurses, nutritionists, and pharmacists) treating patients with GI cancers be informed of the results of these trials to facilitate optimal management of GI cancers. This newsletter will highlight areas of new knowledge from the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, a meeting specially designed for the education and presentation of new data in GI cancers.

Target Audience
The target audience for this program includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, as well as allied oncology healthcare professionals who treat gastrointestinal cancers.
 
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational program, participants should be better able to:

• Describe the design and results of studies on treatment of GI cancers presented at the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
• Interpret study results in light of current standard of care of GI cancers
• Outline recent information on risk factors for, prevention of, and management of serious treatment-related side effects in GI cancers
• Incorporate individual patient parameters and toxicity considerations in selection of treatment for GI cancers

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

PHYSICIAN CONTINUING EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Educational Concepts Group, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION
	Educational Concepts Group, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Type of activity: Knowledge-based Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) (UAN 0199-0000-10-003-H01-P).

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME/CE credit for this activity. During the period March 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, participants must
1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the post-activity assessment.

CME/CE CREDIT
Physicians and pharmacists who complete the post-test with a score of 70% or better may view and print their credit letter or statement of credit via the website, www.educationalconcepts.net.

ECG HAS DECLARED THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
ECG receives educational grants from pharmaceutical industry and other commercial sources. Planners, managers, and other staff members at ECG have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

DISCLOSURE OF OFF-LABEL USE
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. ECG does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of ECG. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

DISCLAIMER
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product or consult the Physicians’ Desk Reference for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.