Treatment For Colorectal Cancer

Posted on Wed, 26 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 Answered on

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hello sir , My question is related to my dad's diseases.He is Suffering from Colorectal Cancer. He got Operated in the Month of XXXXXXX His operation was successful.Dad's cancer stage has crossed 1st stage and was before 2nd stage. When he got operated and we had send that tumour for Biopsy report..We got the report on that basis doctors has suggested to take 6 Chemo Theraphy..One More report was taken On basis of that report they said it is in 3rd stage.Dad is residing in Nairobi,Kenya.They have shown those reports to the one of the good cancer Centre.They have suggested to take 8 chemotherapy. I Just Spoke with other doctor to take 2nd opinion for him. he said directly he shouldn't be operated.First,Patient should me be given chemoradiation and than operation. Now my dad's is undergoing through Chemo therapy.He is given FOLFOX chemo due to which he is becoming very weak and also suffering from vomiting..Please tell me what should be done..

Answered by Dr. Krishna Kiran Kannepalli (12 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please dont panic. he will do fine. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query and also thanks for providing the reports. According to the CT scan the growth is in the sigmoid colon and not in the rectum (we call it - above the peritoneal reflection). In such cases, surgery is the first choice of treatment as was correctly done in your case. According to the Histopathology report, it is stage III disease. The chemo he is receiving is also the current standard of care. Chemotherapy is associated with complications, but they can be managed. Your medical oncologist will take care of that. As per definition, your father's tumor qualifies as colon cancer and not rectal cancer. There is no need for radiation as per the reports that you have provided. Only the operating surgeon will be able to tell you whether the tumor had extended to the rectum based on his operative findings (i.e. if it has gone below the peritoneal reflection). If he says radiation is not necessary, then it is not necessary. 8 cycles of chemtherapy are better than 6 if he can tolerate them. I hope I have answered your query. Please get back incase you have any other queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Krishna Kiran Kannepalli (8 hours later)

Sir, Sir Thank you so Much for the response..I was so much worried about my dad's operation but your opinion has made me free.I have uploaded MMR reports which was taken after some days of operation.Please refer to the reports and help me to understand these reports. FOLFOX-6 is given to my dad.FOLFOX 6 is for which treatment actually(How does it work).It only Reacts towards the infected cell or for other purpose as well .When he is given Chemo,his hemoglobin become low.Do we have any kind of Medicines or Injection which will help to control Hemoglobin,Red Cells,White cells during Chemo. Thanks & Regards, XXXXXXX Sethi

Answered by Dr. Krishna Kiran Kannepalli (38 hours later)

Brief Answer: Folfox-6 is chemotherspy. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for the query. I read the MMR test reports. Your father has MSI low status. It is difficult to explain what it actually means, but your father will benefit from chemotherapy. FOLFOX- 6 is a standard chemotherapy option for Colon cancer patients in stage III. t produce chemo related side effects Filgastrim and erythropoeitin injections are available

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar