Briefly

Patients with diabetes aren’t any more likely to develop neuropathy in hands and feet when treated with oxaliplatin.

Learn more about  current colorectal cancer prevention and treatment at a Memorial Sloan Kettering CancerSmart workshop on November 12.  NIH has a downloaded booklet on palliative care, and Oncology on Canvas is looking for artwork from cancer patients and their families and caregivers. Read the rest of this entry »

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

A study presented during the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting showed that adding IV infusions of calcium and magnesium to oxaliplatin treatment reduced peripheral neuropathy.

Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) is part of the FOLFOX treatments for colorectal cancer.  As doses accumulate, patients begin to experience tingling and numbness in their hands and feet.  Some patients will find it difficult to use their hands for small tasks like buttoning or will have problems with pain, balance or walking.  Often patients have to stop treatment before the full benefit is reached because of this difficult side effect. Read the rest of this entry »

• Skin rash: Certain drugs that treat colorectal cancer, like Erbitux or Vectibix, can cause painful rashes, dry skin and nail problems. These side effects are unpleasant, can hurt and are often embarrassing. Watch a recording of our patient webinar “Coping with Skin Rash” for information on managing this side effect.
• Mouth sores or mucositis are painful and can make eating or swallowing difficult or impossible. Cooling the tissues of the mouth and throat with ice chips before and during administration of chemo is a proven method of preventing them. Some patients like popsicles. However, avoid ice if your treatment includes oxaliplatin. There are mouthwashes that can help with pain and healing if sores do develop, and antibiotics may be required if they become infected.
• Hand-foot syndrome or red, cracked, or peeling skin develops in some patients taking 5-fluorouracil or Xeloda (capecitabine). It resolves (gets better) rapidly once you stop taking the drugs. However, it may start again if treatment is restarted. This condition is not life threatening. Early intervention may allow treatment to continue by reducing the dose. A few small studies have indicated that vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) may help prevent or resolve hand-and-foot Syndrome. Vaseline, over-the-counter moisturizing creams, or prescription ointments may help healing. Some patients find it especially effective to put the creams on under white cotton gloves overnight.
• Hair loss: In most cases, drugs used for treating colorectal cancer do not result in complete hair loss. There may be some hair thinning. The American Cancer Society has a program “Look Good, Feel Better” that can help with changes in hair and skin.