Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The earlier colon cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient. Treatments that are available for patients with colon cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Each type of treatment is associated with side effects.
Side Effects of Surgery
Surgery is often used for early stage colon cancers. The side effects after colon cancer surgery depend on the stage of the cancer and the extent of the surgery, according to the American Cancer Society. These include pain, bleeding and damage to the organs close to the colon. The patient may develop a wound dehiscence, a condition in which the surgical wound opens up prematurely. After the surgery, patients may develop adhesions which can cause various organs in the abdomen and pelvis to stick together abnormally.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
In colon cancer, radiation therapy may be used to kill any cancer cells that may have been left after surgery, to provide palliative treatment or to shrink a large colon cancer so that it is easier to remove during surgery, according to MayoClinic.com. The symptoms of radiation therapy include skin irritation from the radiation beams, nausea, bladder irritation, vaginal irritation or impotence and fatigue, explains the American Cancer Society. The urinary problem may last after the radiation therapy has ended and in some cases it may be permanent.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for colon cancer can be given with radiation before surgery to reduce the tumor size and after surgery to kill any extra cancer cells, as noted by MayoClinic.com. Some medications that may be used to treat colon cancer include capecitabine, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. Side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, loss of appetite, low white and red blood cell counts, fatigue and increased risk of bleeding, as noted by the American Cancer Society. Most side effects associated with chemotherapy are temporary, but the patient should report them to the oncology team so that the physicians can treat them or adjust the medications.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are newer treatments that were developed to interact with specific changes in abnormal cancer cells, according to the American Cancer Society. These are often used in conjunction with chemotherapy; some commonly used targeted therapies are bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab. The side effects of targeted therapies depend on the specific medication; general side effects for bevacizumab include high blood pressure, bleeding and heart problems. Cetuximab can cause an acne-like skin rash, headache, fatigue and diarrhea. Panitumumab can also cause a rash as well as scarring of the lung and allergic reactions.
