Managing treatment for colon or rectal cancer
Knowing what to expect is half the battle.
If you are being treated for colorectal cancer, you may be experiencing side effects
from whatever treatment you’re having. The first step is to talk to your doctor
about these side effects. In addition, here are some suggestions for dealing with
some of the more frequent side effects.
Surgery for colorectal cancer.
The type of side effects you might expect will depend largely on which of these
surgical options you’ve undergone
Polypectomy.
Polypectomies are usually done during a colonoscopy, and generally do not cause
discomfort to the patient.
Liver resection for colorectal cancer.
After liver resection, typically most patients remain in the hospital for a week
following. As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, or an adverse
reaction to anesthesia.
Be sure to call your doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Upper back pain on the right side
- Redness or swelling around the incision
- Warmth around the incision
Colostomy.
Having a colostomy usually involves general anesthesia and a stay in the hospital
that could vary from 3 days to 2 weeks. The patient may experience some discomfort
during the first few days after surgery but this can be controlled with home treatment
and medication.
After a colostomy, a plastic bag or colostomy pouch is taped over the opening on
the outside of the body.
Radiation.
Side effects depend on the dosage, location, and duration of the radiation treatment.
Most side effects gradually go away after treatment is finished. Side effects that
may occur include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss on the body part being radiated
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Skin irritation
- Mouth sores (mucositis)
Treatments often generate side effects that may vary greatly with each patient.
Most side effects disappear once treatment has stopped.
Chemotherapy
As with any drug, everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy, so side effects will
vary among individuals. Hear how others have coped with the side effects of chemotherapy
What you can do to help manage treatment side effects
Below are suggestions to help you manage the most common side effects of colon and
rectal cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy. If you experience any of these or
other side effects, be sure and share this with your physician as he/she can help
you better manage your condition.
Nausea and vomiting.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals and snacks throughout the day
- Eat and drink slowly
- Eat foods at room temperature so you won’t be bothered by strong smells
- Avoid sweet, fried or fatty foods
- Right after eating, rest sitting up and avoid lying down
- To settle an uneasy stomach, drink clear liquids (like juice or flat ginger ale)
- Ice should be avoided with certain chemotherapy regimens. Check with your doctor.
Diarrhea.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (too much water loss), and make sure
the water is at room temperature (avoid cold water)
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea) and alcohol-containing drinks because they cause the
body to lose fluids
- Avoid nuts and seeds, raw/high-fiber vegetables (broccoli, corn, etc.) and fruits
with skin
- Avoid milk products
If you experience diarrhea, it’s important to contact the doctor
Neuropathy (numbness, tingling, or pain in fingers and toes).
- Cover your skin before you enter cold places or touch cold objects
- Avoid cold drinks and foods
- Do not use ice to soothe mouth sores or ease nausea (ice should be avoided with
certain chemotherapy regimens)
Fatigue (tiredness).
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced diet
- To avoid dizziness, move slowly when lying down or sitting up
- Allow plenty of rest during the day and plan regular naps
- Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Lean on friends and family members during
this time
Mouth sores.
Make sure you or the person you’re caring for contacts the doctor or nurse if mouth
sores occur. Here are some ways to prevent or manage mouth sores:
- Brush the teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush after each meal
- Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwash
- Wait for food to cool to room temperature before eating
- Avoid eating or drinking anything that could irritate the mouth, such as spicy foods,
citrus fruits or juices (like orange, lemon or grapefruit), nuts and pretzels
Some things doctors can do to help manage treatment.
- Your doctor can prescribe medicines at the same time as your chemotherapy to help
prevent vomiting or nausea
- Injections of medicine called growth factors can be given to help the bone marrow
recover from chemotherapy and start making new blood cells which can help with fatigue
- Transfusions of red blood cells or platelets from blood donors help many people
avoid anemia and the fatigue it causes.
Other side effects may occur depending on the type of medication your doctor prescribes.
Be sure to speak with your doctor about which side effects you may experience and how they can be managed.
Learn more about living with
colon or rectal cancer