Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of very strong anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment and will address cancer that is in the entire

body which is why it is often used to prevent spread or to treat cancer that has

already spread. This is not the only reason why chemotherapy is used so if you

doctor suggests treatment with chemotherapy drugs do not assume that your

cancer has spread and metastesized.

Chemotherapy plays a few roles in the treatment of colon cancer.

used to kill colon cancer cells that might have not been removed during surgical

removal of the colon cancer.

reduces the size of the tumor before surgery is performed

used to treat colon cancer by controlling the growth of the tumor.

used to relieve some of the symptoms of the colon cancer.

reduce the likelyhood of recurrence

Chemotherapy is often used after surgery is performed to eliminate cancer cells that

may have been left behind and not removed by surgery. The chemotherapy can be

administered through an IV (intravenously) or in pill form. Once the chemotherapy

drugs enter the bloodstream they can reach cancer cells in all parts of the body.

Some studies have shown that using a regimen of chemotherapy after surgery for

colon cancer can increase the surivival rates for some stages of colon and rectal

cancers.

In patients with advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy is often useful in relieving

the symptoms of the cancer.

Who is given Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer?

The general opinion in the medical community differs on whether chemotherapy for

Stage II colon cancer will be beneficial to the patient after surgery. It is usually only

advisable in very high risk patients.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is the standard of care for patients with Stage

III colorectal cancer. Also patients with Stage IV cancers of the colon or rectum can

benefit from the use of chemotherapy as it often will help to shrink the tumor,

increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.

How is Chemotherapy Administered for Colorectal Cancer?

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy typically involves monthly administration of the

chemotherapy drugs for usually 6 to 8 months. Usually on or a combination of the

following drugs are administered:

5-FU (5-fluorouracil)

leucovorin

irinotecan

oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)

The standard adjuvant chemotherapy combination for colon cancer consists of 5-FU

and leucovorin.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy can produce some side effects. The type of side effects experiences

depends upon the type of chemotherapy drugs used, how much of the drugs are

given and the period of time they are administered. The side effects also depend on

the individual.

The most common side effects for 5FU :

the feeling of being sick

diarrhea

sore mouth or mouth ulcers

drop in blood cell count

overall feeling of tiredness

The most common side effects of irinotecan :

increased perspiration

increase in the production of saliva

watery eyes

pain or cramps in the abdomen

diarrhea

overall feeling of being sick

drop in blood cell count

overall feeling of tiredness

hair thinning or loss

The most common side effects of oxaliplatin:

feeling of being sick

numbness or tingling of the extremeties

numbness in the lips

Bill Ransom provides information on Colon cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment

at http://colon-answers.com

Stage 2 Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer Prevention
Colonoscopy Procedure

Alternative Treatment For Phobias

A phobia is an uncontrollable and irrational fear of an object or a situation, such as a fear of flying, or heights, or insects, a social phobia (fear of meeting people, of going to school), claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), or agoraphobia (fear of going outside, of being away from the security of the home, or of being alone).

Most people have some phobia (it is estimated that about 10 percent of the population suffer from one or more phobias) but manage to keep it controlled either by avoiding the stimulus or by suppressing their fears. Phobias are only serious when fear becomes disabling and begins to affect lifestyle to the extent that it has to be altered or normal situations avoided.

The causes of a phobia may be unknown or the result of an experience that has left a long-lasting impression. It can, however, be copied or adopted from parents, teachers, or carers, or very occasionally be the result of some organic disease, such as epilepsy or brain injury. Panic and anxiety are also the result of low blood sugar, and can be more common in people with borderline diabetes or a sensitivity to sugar. Phobias can also be the result of prolonged stress (which in itself can cause blood sugar levels to drop), anxiety, or panic. Anxious, nervy, or easily stressed people are more vulnerable than others to phobias.

Symptoms of a phobia include overt fear and feeling overwhelmed when confronted with the object of that fear. Physical symptoms include breathlessness, palpitations, sweating, nausea, giddiness, and trembling. A sufferer may go to extreme lengths to avoid a confrontation with the object of their fear.

Learning to Cope

There is some evidence that sufferers can help themselves, usually through graduated exposure. In the case of a serious phobia, people are unable even to think about it. The first step is being able to do so, and then taking it one step further by drawing pictures of the object of a phobia, looking at pictures in a magazine, perhaps watching them on television, and so on.

In the case of a situation phobia, like flying, it may be suggested that you go to the airport and watch airplanes taking off and landing. Then, on the next visit, you might go as far as the departure lounge (many airlines offer sessions for phobics and do not consider this unusual). On the third visit you might sit on an airplane, or try an electronically simulated flight. You will gradually learn to control your phobia.

Take one step at a time. Draw lists, keep diaries that provide a record of your progress. Even when you find you are progressing at a very slow rate - some sufferers complain of taking two steps back for every one step forward - there are changes in your situation and your acceptance of it, and a diary makes them obvious. The key to overcoming a phobia is harnessing the panic, and with practice it is possible to do so. Panic can be overwhelming, and it may appear uncontrollable, but in time you can learn to distance yourself from the feelings and learn how to turn them off. Many exposures to panic may be necessary to do so, but eventually it becomes clear that panic attacks do end and go away and that it is possible to master feelings about a phobic situation or object.

Treatment

Psychotherapy Treatment may involve relaxation techniques and desensitization.

Homeopathy Treatment would be constitutional but specific remedies include: Borax and Sulfur for fear of heights; Lycopodium, Gelsemium, and Anarcardium for stagefright and fear of performing in public.

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Metastatic Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer Stage
Stage 3 Colon Cancer