Colon Cancer Medicines

Definition

Colon cancer is a malignant neoplasm affecting the large intestine and, often times, is closely associated with rectal cancer: not surprisingly, these two cancers are frequently united in a "single disease, colorectal cancer. , one of the major causes of cancer death in our country. According to this, it is easy to understand how early diagnosis constitutes a life-saving prophylactic form of primary importance.

Causes

Polyps of the colon and rectum certainly represent the most important risk factor for the formation of malignant neoplasm in the colon: this explains why the surgical extraction of a colon polyp is of absolute importance, even if most of these are benign Among other causes, we mention: low fiber and high fat diet, Crohn's disease, genetic predisposition, gastrointestinal neoplastic pathologies, ulcerative colitis, Lynch syndrome.

Symptoms

The presence of blood in the stool is a bright sign of colon cancer; among other typical symptoms, we cannot forget: impaired intestinal motility (diarrhea, constipation), abdominal pain, fatigue and tiredness, abdominal swelling, lack of intestinal emptying, meteorism, mucorrhea, weight loss, anal itching.

Colon Cancer Information - Colon Cancer Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Colon Cancer - Colon Cancer Treatment Medications.

Medicines

Surgical treatment is crucial in the therapeutic approach to colon cancer: surgery depends, as always, on the severity of the condition (stage of the cancer).

Colon Cancer Surgical Therapy:

operative colonoscopy: possible surgical option in case of small colon tumors, at a very early stage
laparoscopy: colon cancer is eradicated thanks to small incisions in the abdominal area, with the help of instruments with cameras, essential for viewing the intestinal cavity on a monitor
colectomy (removal of part of the colon): reserved for patients with advanced colon cancer

Following the surgical treatment, the patient is generally subjected to pharmacological treatment with chemotherapy, approximately after 6-8 months.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in colon cancer therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

5-fluorouracil (eg. Fluorouracil Teva, 250-500 mg): take 12 mg / kg of drug intravenously once a day for 4 consecutive days. If no toxicity is observed, take another 6 mg / kg on the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th day. After 1 month, repeat the dosage according to the scheme just described; alternatively, when the toxic signs derived from the first course of administration have diminished, take a maintenance dose of 10-15 mg per kilo of body weight per week, in a single dose. Do not exceed one gram per week.
Irinotecan (eg Irinotecan ACC, Campto) this chemotherapy drug is indicated for the treatment of colon cancer; it is used both as monotherapy (350 mg / m2 intravenously over 90 minutes every 3 weeks) and in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin (125 mg per m2 intravenously over 90 minutes, once a week for 4 weeks).
Oxaliplatin (eg. Oxaliplatin ACC, Eloxatin) This drug, used to treat colon cancer patients, is often used in combination with fluorouracil. Generally, the drug should be taken at a dosage of 85 mg per m2 of body surface area associated with 200 mg / m2 of leucovorin intravenously (120 minutes), followed by 400 mg / m2 of fluorouracil for 2-4 minutes. End with 600 mg / m2 of fluorouracil for slow 22 hour infusion. The next day, first administer 200 mg / m2 of i.v. leucovorin. for 120 minutes, then 400 mg / m2 of fluorouracil for 2-4 minutes, finally another 600 mg / m2 of fluorouracil for slow intravenous infusion of 22 hours. Repeat this cycle every 2 weeks, with medical assistance.
Capecitabine (e.g. xeloda) the drug, indicated for the treatment of colon cancer, is available in tablets of 150 or 500 mg. It is taken at a dosage of 625-1.250 mg per m2 of body surface area, twice a day, within 30 minutes after the end of the meal. The treatment with this drug should be continued for a few months, always after the surgical removal.
Cetuximab (eg Erbitux) indicated for the treatment of metastic cancer of the colon and rectum. It should be administered once a week: the first time it should be injected at a dosage of 400 mg per m2 of body surface, in a slow 2-hour infusion. Thereafter, the dosage is changed to 250mg / m2, for a 60 minute infusion. The duration of therapy must be determined by the physician based on the severity of the disease (stage of the tumor) and the patient's response to treatment.
Bevacizumab (Avastin) used extensively in therapy for the treatment of colorectal: it is injected into a vein by slow infusion drop by drop, and can be taken together with other anticancer drugs to enhance the final effect (eg fluorouracil). In general , the first infusion lasts 90 minutes, and the indicative dosage is 5-15 g per pound of body weight, to be repeated every 14-21 days. When combined with oxaliplatin, folinic acid or fluorouracil, the recommended dose of Bevacizumab is 10 mg / kg of body weight.
Panitumumab (eg. Vectibix) the drug is taken intravenously slowly, and is indicated for colorectal cancer patients, even in the phase of metastasis. It is recommended when other less potent drugs are no longer able to perform their therapeutic function. Dosage: 6 mg / kg body weight once every 15 days, by i.v. 60-90 minutes.

Note:

Before starting a course of chemotherapy, patients can be treated with corticosteroids to reduce local inflammation and with antihistamines to relieve itching; antacid drugs can also be taken to eliminate stomach acid. Consult your doctor.
The new generation drugs, such as oxaliplatin bevacizumab and cetuximab, have statistically made it possible to extend life expectancy to 20 months, even in the case of colon cancer with evolution into metastases.