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Is Chemotherapy Necessary For Treatment Of Bowel Cancer?

Posted on Thu, 26 Jun 2014

Question: Hi i cant call
Im
From uk. But my dad qas diagnosed with bowel cancer. Had surgery to remove it in march. It was a dukes stage c1 . 28 nodes were removed and 10 close to tumor were affected.he didnt want chemo due to bad side effects but now has agreed to
Try the tablet form.

If he leaves chemo as cannot tolerate it , will that be risky'?

Also is he likely to get mestases?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (17 days later)

Brief Answer:
tumor is aggressive

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The disease is in AJCC stage 3. This means that the disease is aggressive. Since 10 lymph nodes have metastasis, it means the tumor cells have left the primary tumor site and they have migrated to adjacent lymph nodes. So adjuvant chemotherapy is given to destroy any such tumor cells that have migrated to distant site. In the absence of chemotherapy, there is a high risk of distant metastasis especially to the liver.

If your father is fit enough for chemotherapy, it should be given. The condition should be assessed according to performance status. Even oral form of chemotherapy can be given to him, which he can manage easily. He can stop that if side effects occur.

Hope this answers your query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (3 hours later)

Will he def get metastesis?

He has agreed to try the oral form chemo tabs ? But he is very stubborn he says if side effects bad hel stop them,

Do they have bad side effects?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
hi, nothing is 100% sure in medicine, its just prediction.
its good that he is ready for therapy.
if side effects are bad, we also advise to stop treatment/ change treatment.
side effects includes diarrhoea, weakness, decrease in blood counts, fever, numbness in foot or hands etc.
ask him to meet an oncologist in his city. many things to be considered before starting treatment and dosing.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (34 hours later)

What is the prognosis like for a stage 3 tumor?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
average 40 % for 5 yrs.

Detailed Answer:
hi,
the estimated 5 year overall survival according to AJCC-7 is
stage 3a = 73%
3 b = 46%
3c = 28%
survival depends on many factors.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (19 minutes later)

So u think chemo best option ? Without this he is taking too much risk right?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
yes, he should be given chemotherapy. the dose to be calculated by his height, weight and general condition.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (2 days later)

Does the tablet form have less side effects?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
both less, effects and side effects.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (4 minutes later)

What is the difference between the oral tablets and the iv injection chemo?

Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
the content i.e. drug

Detailed Answer:
hi, the answer lies in ur question. tablets can be given orally, injections only iv. most of the drugs can be given by iv route only so no oral preparation for them.
if u want oral tab, the drug content will change.

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad