If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, you may be eligable for chemotherapy. Colon cancer chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells. There are several types of chemotherapy which have different side effects.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a term used by professionals to refer to drugs that can erradicate cancer cells. Chemotherapy was formed from mustard gases during the 1st World-War. The term “chemotherapy” literally means “chemical treatment” and is one way to help the body kill off cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given in several ways, including intravenously by injection, intravenously with a pump, or even in pill form. If chemotherapy is given prior to surgery, it may shrink the tumor so that the surgeon can completely remove it with fewer complications.
Chemotherapy is recommended for stage 2 colon cancer, and usually recommended for stage 3 and stage 4 colon cancer. There are eight possible drugs off the chemotherapy drug list that may be used for colon cancer. 5-Fluorouracil is the most popular of these drugs. Most commonly it is combined with leucovorin (a vitamin), making 5-FU more effective. 5-FU is given intravenously; however, a pill form has been developed recently. For patients where the cancer has spread from the colon, a variety of other drugs may be given. Camptosar, Eloxatin, Avastin, Erbitux, and Vectibix are some of the drugs given.
Side Effects
Colon cancer chemotherapy is often associated with uncomfortable side effects. Chemotherapy is used to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells ; however, it also kills other rapidly dividing healthy cells in our bodies. Undergoing chemotherapy comes with unpleasant side effects that can exhaust their body The side effects of chemotherapy can include:
Other side effects include lowered white and red blood cell count (which can lead to anemia and increased risk of infection),sun sensitivity, and darkening of the skin and nail beds. Effects on the bone marrow result in an increased risk of infection (due to low white blood cell counts),and bleeding or bruising from minor injuries (due to low blood platelet counts). The drugs given and the individual make a difference in which side effects will manafest. Each chemotherapy drug has side effects, although not everyone will be effected the same way. In most cases, the uncomfortable effects can be treated or prevented with other medications. A change in your diet may also help relieve some of the effects of the drugs. The effects of chemotherapy are manageable, especially with the help of your doctors. Although it may take some time, when chemotherapy is stopped, the effects related to the drugs will wear off.Colon cancer chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that the medications enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Physicans can suggest alternative ways to help relieve symptoms that may occur during and after a patients colon cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment strategy for you.
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