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Step 1
Consider how chemotherapy for colon cancer interacts with other treatment options such as surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is used to shrink the size of cancer tumors.
If surgery can reliably remove nearly all of the tumor cells, the oncologist will suggest that resection be done, followed by chemotherapy for any leftover cancer cells that eluded the surgeon. This is the normal strategy.
In some cases, surgery is not possible due to the size, location, or number of cancer tumors in the colon. In those cases, chemotherapy for colon cancer along with radiation is used to shrink the tumors enough to have them resected later on. In this case, aggressive and high dose of chemotherapy is necessary. -
Step 2
Look at the drugs used for chemotherapy. Consult your oncologist for specific information. The most common chemotherapy for colon cancer drugs include:
5-FU/Adrucil
Xeloda
Eloxatin
Camptosar
Avastin
Erbitux
Vectibix
Sometimes two or even three chemotherapy drugs are taken in combination.
The most common combination include 5-FU and another drug.
Chemotherapy dosage depends on the aggressiveness of the colon cancer along with the health of the patient. If the patient is young (less than 50), very large doses of chemotherapy can be given if the patient has an aggressive or metastatic cancer. -
Step 3
Consider how to manage the symptoms.
Drugs will be prescribed by the oncologist to manage the side effect of chemotherapy which include nausea and vomiting. The oncologist will also prescribe other medicines for some other side effects that may occur.
In most cases, the patient can have a normal life and return to work with the exception of around three days per month because medications to manage side effects are very effective. -
Step 4
If you have metastatic colon cancer to the liver, ask your oncologist about options to directly send chemotherapy drugs to the tumors that are in the liver. There are several methods of targeting chemotherapy drugs to areas of cancer in the liver, which can greatly improve the chances of survival.
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Step 5
During the chemotherapy for colon cancer, your medical team will give you regular tests (CT scan, MRI, etc.) to see how effective it is.
The huge advances in chemotherapy drugs have greatly improve chances of survival for colon cancer patients. Since side effect management of chemotherapy is so effective, it's possible to consider very aggressive use of chemotherapy drugs. Consult your oncologist to see if a very aggressive treatment is right for you.
