Colorectal, also known as colon cancer, is one of the third leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Chemotherapy is often prescribed as part of the treatment for colon cancer, along with radiation therapy and surgery.

Among the most commonly prescribed cancer treatments worldwide, chemotherapy has proven to be effective in treating colon cancer. This article discusses the effectiveness of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

When can colon cancer chemotherapy be used?

Depending on the stage and condition of colon cancer, chemotherapy can be used at different times during the treatment process.

1. Neoadjuvant chemo is given before the surgery to shrink the tumors.
2. Adjuvant chemo is provided after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells.
3. Palliative chemotherapy is given to shrink the tumor to mitigate the symptoms and prolong the patient’s life when the cancer has metastasized.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy is administered in either of the two ways:

• Systemic Chemotherapy – Given intravenously or orally, systemic chemotherapy works by the anti-cancer drug reaching all parts of your body.
• Regional Chemotherapy – It’s a more effective treatment provided when the anti-cancer drugs are put into the artery that directly reaches the cancerous area. It has minimal side effects since the drugs are administered only to the cancer region, and it does not spread to the whole body.

Usually given in cycles, there are rest periods between chemotherapy sessions to help patients recover from its effects. The cycle period would depend on the drugs used and the colorectal cancer stage.

Chemotherapy drugs used to treat colorectal cancer

Some commonly used chemotherapy drugs for colorectal cancer include:

• 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)- The most prescribed treatment for colon cancer
• Irinotecan (Camptosar)- It’s used to treat colon cancer and small cell lung cancer
• Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)- It’s a platinum-based antineoplastic class cancer medication for treating colorectal cancer.
• Capecitabine (Xeloda)- Changes to 5-FU on reaching the tumor.
• Trifluridine and tipiracil (Lonsurf)- A combination drug in the form of a pill.

How long does chemotherapy for colon cancer last?

Depending on the medications used, neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy is usually given for about 3 to 6 months. The treatment duration for advanced colorectal cancer depends on the effectiveness of the treatment and the side effects that may occur due to it.

How Effective Is Chemotherapy For Colon Cancer?

The five-year survival rate for patients with localized colon cancer is 90 percent. For patients with advanced cancers that have spread to other organs like the liver, chemo can be used to help reduce the size of the tumors and mitigate the problems they're causing. While it's not likely to cure cancer, this often helps people live longer lives.

Possible side effects of chemo for colorectal cancer

Chemotherapy targets fast-dividing cancer cells and, in the process, it can also attack other healthy cells that multiply quickly, such as hair follicles, intestinal lining cells, and more. Depending on the intensity of the dosage, type of drugs administered, and the length of exposure to chemo, the most common side effects experienced are:

• Hair loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nail and skin alterations
• Mouth sores
• Diarrhea

Other more serious side effects include:

• Increased risk of infection due to lowered white blood cells.
• Tiredness and fatigue caused by reduced red blood cells.
• Easy bleeding and bruising because of depleting blood platelets.

Colon cancer is highly treatable, and it’s one of the most curable forms of cancer if detected early. Getting screened regularly for colon cancer can help prevent the condition and prepare you early.

If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, are looking for regular colon cancer screening, or need information, contact our colorectal cancer experts at Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates. Our expert oncologists will develop a personalized treatment plan to ease your symptoms and treat your cancer. We can help in the early detection of the disease to increase its chances of being treated successfully.

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