Balancing the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer

Michael S Braun; Matthew T Seymour

doi:10.1177/1758834010388342

Balancing the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer

Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2011 Jan;3(1):43-52. doi: 10.1177/1758834010388342.

Authors

Michael S Braun¹, Matthew T Seymour

Affiliation

¹ Consultant, Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.

Abstract

As the therapeutic options for the treatment of colorectal cancer have expanded over the past 20 years, so has the complexity of decision making. The goals of treatment in the palliative, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings vary and it is not only the efficacy of drugs that influence treatment decisions. Age, performance status, the presence of significant comorbidities and the different treatment regimens and strategies provide medical oncologists with an array of options to attempt to maximize patients' quality of life and longevity.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; combination chemotherapy; fluorouracil; irinotecan; oxaliplatin; performance status; staged chemotherapy; toxicity; treatment breaks.