Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be given before of after colon surgery. Chemotherapy is a form of treatment in which doctors give medications to patients to get rid of any residual tumor (tumor that is left behind). Some drugs affect tumor growth by damaging its DNA and preventing its cells from dividing. Other drugs work by identifying unique areas or regions of tumors. This treatment is more specific to the tumor and is referred to as targeted therapy. Once the drugs bind to these unique areas, different systems in the body, including the immune system, may be activated to help fight the cancer. Tumor growth can be stopped and the tumor cells may die.
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The most common drug prescribed for colon cancer is 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), also known as Adrucil®. Recent studies have shown that this drug, used along with some newer drugs like oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®) and Avastin® (bevacizumab). In patients with metastatic/ Stage IV colorectal cancer, Avastin® has improved survival rates and reduced chances of recurrence. 5-FU is typically given intravenously (into the vein), but there is also an oral form (taken by mouth) of 5-FU available, known as capecitabine (Xeloda®), which has been an effective treatment for many stages of colorectal cancer. Another medication that may be prescribed is irinotecan, also known as Camptosar® or CPT-11. |
