Colorectal Cancer,Metastatic or Recurrent - Medications
Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to control cancer's growth or relieve symptoms. The medicines may be given through a needle in your vein, as pills you can swallow, or as a shot (injection).
For colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, researchers are studying hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy. This delivers medicines directly to the liver.
Understanding Colon Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment
Beginning at the age of 50, everyone should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer (earlier screening is recommended for some high-risk groups). There are several options. The traditional screening routine was for the doctor to perform a digital rectal exam once a year and for you to collect three stool samples to be tested for traces of blood. Also, every three to five years you would receive a sigmoidoscopy and a double-contrast barium enema to look at the lower part of the bowel. If anything...
Read the Understanding Colon Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment article > >
Several medicines are used to treat metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer. Other medicines are also available to treat side effects, such as nausea.
Medication Choices
The most commonly used medicines for the treatment of colorectal cancer are:
- Bevacizumab (Avastin).
- Capecitabine (Xeloda).
- Fluorouracil (5-FU).
- Irinotecan (Camptosar).
- Leucovorin (Fusilev).
- Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin).
Cancer medicines are often used in combination. For example, a treatment called FOLFOX4 uses oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, while the treatment called FOLFIRI uses folic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan. There are several of these specific combinations.
Cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) may be used for colorectal cancer that has spread and has not improved during or after treatment with other drugs. These kinds of medicines, called monoclonal antibodies, may not work for some people. So before you have this treatment, your tumor tissue will be checked for certain gene changes (mutations).
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to control nausea and vomiting. These medicines include:
- Aprepitant (Emend), which is used in combination with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.
- Metoclopramide (Reglan).
- Phenothiazines, such as promethazine and prochlorperazine.
- Serotonin antagonists, such as ondansetron (Zofran), granisetron (Kytril), or dolasetron (Anzemet). These medicines prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy more effectively when they are combined with corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone.
Clinical trials that test new drugs are ongoing. Talk with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial.
What To Think About
Medicines may not cure metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer. But they can help you feel better and live longer by slowing the cancer's growth.
Talk to your doctor about medicines to help you manage pain and other symptoms that may accompany cancer. For more information, see the topic Cancer Pain.
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