treatments:

Chemotherapy:
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a term used by doctors to refer to drugs that can kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given in a variety of ways, including intravenously by injection, intravenously with a pump, or even in pill form taken by mouth. Each drug works against a specific cancer, and each drug has specific doses and schedules for taking it. Chemotherapy can be given in a variety of situations:

Primary chemotherapy is used when colorectal cancer is advanced and has already spread to different parts of your body. In this situation, surgery cannot eliminate the cancer, so your best bet is to be treated with chemotherapy, which can shrink tumor nodules, alleviate symptoms, and prolong life.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is when chemotherapy is given after the cancer is surgically removed. The surgery may not eliminate all the cancer, so the adjuvant chemotherapy treatment is used to kill any cancer cells that may have been missed, such as cells that may have metastasized or spread to the liver.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is chemotherapy given before surgery. Chemotherapy drugs may be given prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor so that the surgeon can completely remove the tumor with fewer complications. Chemotherapy is also given with radiation, as it makes the radiation more effective.

Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment strategy for you.

Chemotherapy Drugs Used for Colorectal Cancer
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the first-choice chemotherapy drug for colorectal cancer for many years. It is used in combination with leucovorin (a vitamin), which makes 5-FU more effective. 5-FU is given intravenously. Recently, a pill form of 5-FU has been developed, called Xeloda, which is used for colorectal cancer that has spread to other organs.

Several new chemotherapy drugs also are used for the treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread. These include Camptosar, Eloxatin, Avastin and Erbitux. Camptosar, Eloxatin, and Avastin are usually given along with 5-FU for metastatic colorectal cancer. Erbitux is administred intravenously either alone or with Camptosar.

What Are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Because the mechanism of chemotherapy is to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, it also kills other rapidly dividing healthy cells in our bodies, such as the membranes lining the mouth, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, the hair follicles, and the bone marrow. As a result, the side effects of chemotherapy relate to these areas of damaged cells.

The side effects of chemotherapy can include:

Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Hair loss
Mouth sores
Rash on the hands and feet
Diarrhea
Other side effects associated with chemotherapy's effects on the bone marrow include an increased risk of infection (due to low white blood cell counts), bleeding or bruising from minor injuries (due to low blood platelet counts), and anemia-related fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts).



The side effects that occur with chemotherapy depend upon the particular drugs given and the individual. For example, hair loss is not common in most chemotherapy treatment currently offered for colorectal cancer. However, some people may experience some hair thinning. Although it may take some time, side effects related to chemotherapy will resolve when chemotherapy is stopped.

If you are experiencing any side effects, tell your doctor. In many cases, side effects can be treated or prevented with medications or change in diet.