INDIANAPOLIS A colorectal cancer screening interval of at least five years appears safe for those who got a clean bill of health the first time around, researchers affirmed.

CHICAGO Just 38 of U.S. hospitals examined at least 12 lymph nodes for most of their colon cancer patients, as recommended by guidelines, according to a national report card.

SAN DIEGO Lubiprostone Amitiza taken for a year for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation led to moderate to significant symptom relief for more than a third of patients, researchers here reported.

ORLANDO A new candidate for imatinib Gleevec resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors GIST , the investigational agent motesanib, showed activity for eight of 35 patients with advanced disease in a phase II study.

BERLIN Sugar free gum, if chewed often enough, can lead to not only chronic diarrhea and functional bowel problems but also substantial unintended weight loss, researchers here warned.