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Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options

There are many factors that help determine what kind of colorectal cancer therapy you should receive. You and your physician will decide which regimen is most appropriate for you. Some treatment options that your physician may consider include:

  • Surgery to remove the cancer, which is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.
  • Chemotherapy, which means using drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Your doctor may prescribe one or more chemotherapy drugs.
  • Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy), which means using X-rays to kill cancer cells only in the affected area.
  • Immunotherapy (also called biological therapy), which means working with the body’s own immune system — made to fight off infections and other illnesses — so it can help to eliminate cancer cells.

Again, you may get one or more of these colorectal cancer treatments, depending on what your doctor finds after you have been thoroughly examined and all test results have been reviewed. To learn how ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) is used in treating stage III colon and advanced colorectal cancer, go to ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection).

Get questions to ask your doctor.

Important Safety Information

Anaphylactic-like reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and may occur within minutes of ELOXATIN administration. Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines have been employed to alleviate symptoms.

  • Do not take ELOXATIN if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ELOXATIN or other medicines that contain platinum. Tell your doctor right away if you feel like your throat is closing up, have shortness of breath, a flushed face, a rash, itching/hives, swelling of lips or tongue, sudden cough, dizziness, sweating or chest pain.
  • ELOXATIN can cause nerve problems. Tell your doctor right away if you become sensitive to cold temperatures and cold objects; have trouble breathing, swallowing or saying words; experience jaw tightness, odd feelings in your tongue, or chest pressure; pain; tingling or burning in your hands, feet or around your mouth or throat.
  • Tell your doctor if you develop a dry cough or have trouble breathing; these may be signs of serious lung disease.
  • ELOXATIN can cause liver problems (hepatotoxicity); your doctor will do blood tests to watch for this.
  • Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive ELOXATIN. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ELOXATIN.
  • ELOXATIN can cause a decrease in white blood cells, which can lead to infections. Tell your doctor right away if develop any of the following signs of infection: fever, chills, or shivering; cough that brings up mucus, burning or pain on urination, pain on swallowing; sore throat; or redness or swelling at injection site.
  • Other common side effects of ELOXATIN include a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of ELOXATIN. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Please click here for full prescribing information including boxed WARNING.