Chemotherapy
Please refer to the Chemotherapy and Side Effects sections under Colon Cancer Treatment for common colorectal chemotherapy treatments and their side effects.
One unique approach in patients with rectal cancers is the use of preoperative (before surgery) chemotherapy. Many forms of therapy can be used, but a common treatment is intravenous 5-FU given continuously through a pump. This treatment may continue throughout the entire radiation process. It has been found to enhance the benefit of radiation and improve the surgeon’s chances of completely removing the rectal tumors by causing a decrease in tumor size.