List of Chemotherapy Drugs Used for Advanced Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine or the rectum and is sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer. Advanced colorectal cancer is defined by cancer that has spread to other organs. Advanced colon cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy drugs. Each person's situation with colon cancer is unique and specific treatment may vary from person to person.

Significance

• Chemotherapy (chemo) is medication that is used to control the growth of colon cancer and relieve symptoms. Most colorectal chemo drugs are given intravenously (IV) through a needle directly in your vein. However, some chemotherapy medication can be given orally or through injections.

Effects

• Chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells, but it also causes blood cells to divide quickly. According to Cancer Help UK, chemo drugs can also lower the number of healthy white blood cells and other blood cells. This causes people on chemotherapy to be at risk for more infections, bleeding problems and also can lead to fatigue.

Chemo Drugs for Advanced Colorectal Cancer

• Advanced colon cancer is defined by cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and the cancer cannot be helped by surgery. Primary Chemotherapy is the chemo treatment for this stage of colorectal cancer. Medication given may include any single or a combination of the following drugs:
  Fluorouracil (5-FU)
  Capecitabine
  Tegafur and uracil (Uftoral)
  Folfiri - combination of folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil and irinotecan
  Irinotecan
  Oxaliplatin
  Irinotecan
  Folfox - combination of folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil and oxaliplatin

  According the the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the three most commonly used chemo drugs in advanced colorectal cancer are Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, and Fluorouracil.

Other Medications Given for Colon Cancer

• In some cases, a doctor may also prescribe what is called a targeted drug, which is a medicine that proliferates certain cancer cells. Targeted medication can be given with chemotherapy or alone. For advanced colorectal cancer, this can include the medications Avastin, Erbitux, and Vectibix.

  In addition, chemotherapy and radiation (obliteration of cancer cells through radiation) are sometimes combined to treat certain kinds of colon cancer.

Considerations for Advanced Colon Cancer

• Sometimes palliative surgery is done to relieve blockage in advanced colon cancer. This type of surgery is done to relieve symptoms from bleeding and for pain. However, it is not meant as a treatment for colon cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  Surgery may be done to remove cancerous growth from the liver as well. Chemotherapy may sometimes be used before or after this type of surgery to help improve prognosis.