Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Chemotherapy can be an additional treatment for colorectal cancer. You will receive chemotherapy before or after your surgery, or in combination with radiotherapy. The chemotherapy can boost the effects of the radiation on the tumor. 

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by killing the cancer cells and slowing cell division. During treatment, chemicals called cytostatics will be administered into the bloodstream that will spread throughout the entire body. 

What to expect?

Chemotherapy is often administered intravenously by IV. You will have to come in several times for treatment, followed by some time to rest. Chemotherapy can also be administered orally as a pill, or by injection. 

What are the side effects?

Different people respond differently to the treatment. The exact side effects that you will experience depend on the type of chemotherapy you will receive, and your sensitivity. You might experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. You are also at a higher risk of infections, anemia, a nose bleed, or small hemorrhaging on the skin. We will try and make the chemotherapy as comfortable as possible for you.

Chemotherapy can affect your fertility. You might want to consider freezing your eggs or embryos prior to the treatment. Your physician will discuss your options with you.