Page Contents
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill fast-growing cells (like cancer cells) or to keep them from dividing (which is how cancers grow). It is a systemic treatment. This means the medicines will travel throughout your body and destroy cancer cells wherever they may be.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. You’ll get a dose and then have a rest period, usually two to three weeks, before the next treatment.
Your medical oncologist prescribes your chemotherapy and other medicine-based treatments, like targeted therapies. They also set your treatment schedule.
Colon Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Chemotherapy is Used to Treat Colon Cancer
Your care team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center may recommend chemotherapy:
- Before surgery to make your tumor smaller so it’s easier to remove
- After surgery to help prevent your cancer from coming back
- As your first treatment, instead of surgery, if your cancer has already spread to another part of your body at the time it is diagnosed
People with early-stage colon cancer, stage I (1), usually do not need chemotherapy. Those with stage II (2) disease sometimes have chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is typical for people with stage III (3). If colon cancer has spread to other organs (stage IV (4)), like your liver, chemotherapy may help shrink the tumors and help you feel better.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer
At Fred Hutch, patients get medical oncology care from leading physicians who specialize in colorectal cancers. They are experts in their field and in giving medicines for colorectal cancers. We often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs for colon cancer. So, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your Fred Hutch medical oncologist partners with the rest of your care team. They work closely with your surgical oncologist and pathologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any chemotherapy side effects. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself during treatment.
Chemotherapy can be given by infusion or by mouth. For an infusion, liquid medicine is put into a vein through an intravenous (IV) line. This can be a line in your arm (peripheral venous catheter) or a port in your chest (central venous catheter). Cancer nurses who are experts in infusions give you these treatments. They will also watch over you during the treatment. They will help with any medical issues that come up and will keep you comfortable.
Some types of chemotherapy are given as a pill that you take at home.
Common chemotherapy drugs for colon cancer include:
- Capecitabine
- Fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Fruquintinib
- Irinotecan
- Oxaliplatin
- Regorafenib
- Trifluridine and tipiracil
Usually, people with colon cancer get more than one chemotherapy drug at the same time. Your Fred Hutch team will talk with you about the specific drug combinations we recommend for you, how you’ll receive them and your treatment schedule.
Common chemotherapy side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Skin reactions
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Increased risk of infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Change in sensation in the fingers and toes (neuropathy)
If your Fred Hutch team recommends chemotherapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture. Fred Hutch researchers continue to look for the best ways to keep side effects at bay.