Colon cancer is malignant growths that form in the colon, or large intestine, according to the American Cancer Society. Colon and rectal cancer are often grouped together as colorectal cancer, and either cancer can be referred to with this term. Treatment for colon cancer commonly includes chemotherapy, which is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Different drugs have different side effects, and the side effects can depend on the drug, dosage and regimen used. Not everyone will have every side effect. Many side effects are manageable, especially with the help of your health care team.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
5-FU is used in many regimens for treating colon cancer, either alone or with other chemotherapy drugs. Side effects of this chemotherapy drug include nausea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, low white and red blood cell counts (which can lead to anemia and increased risk of infection) and sensitivity to sunlight. Hand-foot syndrome may also occur. This is characterized by pain and redness in the feet and hands, along with blistering and peeling skin.
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Capecitabine is a pill form of chemotherapy that changes to 5-FU when it gets to the tumor, according to the American Cancer Society. Side effects may include diarrhea, low red blood cell count (which can lead to anemia), fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, nausea, vomiting and elevated liver enzymes.
Irinotecan (Camptosar)
Irinotecan is typically combined with 5-FU and leucovorin, known as the FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen, according to the American Cancer Society. This is generally used in advanced colorectal cancer. Sometimes people have a gene variation that interferes with their ability to break down irinotecan, so levels of the medication stay high in the body and cause serious side effects. Measuring the amount of bilirubin in the blood can indicate whether you have this gene variation. Common side effects of irinotecan include severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low white and red blood cell counts (possibly leading to anemia and higher risk of infection).
Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
This chemotherapy drug is generally combined with 5-FU and leucovorin in the regimen known as FOLFOX, or with capecitabine in the CapeOX regimen, according to the American Cancer Society. Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of this drug, which involves numbness, tingling and cramping of the hands and feet. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, constipation, headache, and low white and red blood cell counts.
