Chemotherapy for Colon and Rectal Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs injected into a vein or given by mouth. These drugs enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, making the treatment useful for cancers that have spread to distant organs.

Chemotherapy after surgery can increase the survival rate for patients with some stages of colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy can also help relieve symptoms of advanced cancer.

While chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they also damage some normal cells and this can lead to side effects. These side effects will depend on the type of drugs given, the amount given, and how long treatment lasts. Side effects could include the following:

Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Loss of hair
Mouth sores
Increased chance of infection
Bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries
Fatigue
Most of the side effects go away when treatment is over. For example, hair will grow back after treatment ends, though it may look different. Anyone who has problems with side effects should talk with their doctor or nurse, as there are often ways to help. For more information on side effects, please see "Understanding Chemotherapy: A Guide for Patients and Families," available through our toll-free number or on our web site.

http://www.cancer.org/

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