According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer originates in the colon or rectum and is sometimes referred to simply as colon cancer. Men and women of all races and ethnic groups are susceptible to colorectal cancer, but if you are past the age of 50 you are at higher risk for this disease relative to those younger than 50. When considering cancers that affect both men and women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
5-Fluorouracil (Adrucil)
According to the American Cancer Society, 5-fluorouracil is frequently used as a chemotherapy agent for colorectal cancer. Patients receive this drug as an intravenous infusion over the course of one to two days, and this infusion is repeated every two weeks for a period of 6 months to one year. Along with 5-fluorouracil, patients receive the drug leucovorin to enhance the therapeutic benefits of the chemotherapy regimen. Side effects may include nausea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, diarrhea, low blood cell counts, sensitivity to sunlight, and pain and redness in the hands and feet, which is sometimes accompanied by blistering or peeling skin.
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, says the American Cancer Society. This drug is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, which means that your body converts it to 5-fluorouracil upon absorption, and its pharmacological effects are roughly equivalent to those of 5-fluorouracil. Patients take capecitabine twice a day for two weeks followed by a one-week break from treatment. This regimen continues for eight cycles. One benefit of this treatment is that patients can receive this chemotherapy treatment at home. Side effects may include nausea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, diarrhea, low blood cell counts, sensitivity to sunlight, and pain and redness in the hands and feet that may be accompanied by blistering or peeling skin.
Irinotecan (Camptosar)
According to the Monthly Prescribing Reference website, irinotecan is a prescription intravenous treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients whose chemotherapy regimen is just beginning get this medication as a first-line therapy accompanied by 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. If the cancer is recurrent or if it spreads after 5-fluorouracil treatment, irinotecan is used by itself. Irinotecan alone will be administered as four intravenous doses one week apart followed by a two-week break. If this medication causes diarrhea more than 24 hours after intravenous treatment, doctors may prescribe an anti-diarrheal and discontinue chemotherapy until the diarrhea subsides. Other side effects may include suppression of bone marrow activity, fever, infection, weakness, kidney or liver problems, dizziness, sleepiness, low blood pressure, rash, hair loss, and pain and redness in the hands and feet.
