Chemotherapy is the use of medications to kill cancer cells. It is often used in the treatment of colon cancer, and doctors typically use more than one drug at a time, because treatment is more effective in this way. Each chemotherapy drug has side effects, although not everyone will have every side effect. These effects are typically manageable and tend to subside once treatment has ended.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
5-fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, is commonly used in chemotherapy regimens for colon cancer, and it is often given with a drug called leucovorin or folinic acid, which enables it to be more effective, according to the American Cancer Society. It is an antimetabolite medication, which means it interferes with the DNA and RNA of cancer cells and stops them from growing. This drug is given intravenously over 5 to 10 minutes, 20 to 60 minutes, or as an infusion over 22 to 24 hours for one to four days, depending on the treatment regimen. Common side effects include lowered white and red blood cell count (which can lead to anemia and increased risk of infection), nausea and vomiting, mouth and lip sores, diarrhea, thinning hair, sun sensitivity, loss of appetite and darkening of the skin and nail beds.
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Capecitabine, or Xeloda, also is an antimetabolite drug. Capecitabine is taken orally, and once it is in your body, it is converted to 5-FU. Side effects are similar to those of 5-FU.
Irinotecan (Camptosar)
Irinotecan is a drug made from a plant alkaloid called a topoisomerase I inhibitor. This drug blocks the enzyme topoisomerase I, which cells need to divide. Irinotecan is given intravenously over 90 minutes, either once every three weeks, or weekly for four weeks, followed by two weeks off, according to the American Cancer Society. It is typically used in conjunction with 5-FU and leucovorin, in a chemotherapy regimen known as FOLFIRI, for advanced colon cancer. Side effects can include diarrhea (which can be severe), nausea and vomiting, lowered white blood cell count, loss of appetite, hair loss, and weakness. This medication may also increase your risk for blood clots in the legs and lungs.
Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
Oxaliplatin, or Eloxatin, is typically combined with the drugs 5-FU and leucovorin in the FOLFOX regimen, or with capecitabine in the CapeOX chemotherapy regimen. It is commonly used for advanced colon cancer, although it can also be used in earlier stages of colon cancer. It is given intravenously over two hours, and you should not drink anything cold before, during, or for five days after the injection. This is because the drug can change sensations in your mouth, tongue, hands and feet, and cold makes these sensations worse. Common side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, fatigue, abdominal pain, and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
References
- American Cancer Society: Colorectal Cancer: Chemotherapy
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Drug Guide
- "Manual of Clinical Oncology (6th Ed);" Dennis Casciato (Ed); 2009
