Fluorouracil Chemotherapy

 

Fluorouracil is also known by its salt name Adrucil and 5FU, is an anticancer drug. It treats cancer in colon and rectum, gastrointestinal cancers including anal, esophagus and cancer. Fluorouracil chemotherapy is also used as a method of treatment for pancreatic cancer. The drug is administered in the patient’s body by an intravenous infusion also called an IV infusion. To treat skin cancer, it can also be smeared on the patient’s body as a thin layer at the point of abrasion. The dosage and schedule of drug application is decided by health care professional depending on the patient’s height, weight and other physical traits. It also varies with size and stage of the tumor.

Side effects of Fluorouracil chemotherapy differs with every individual. A few people face no side effects yet it could be grave serious for other patients. These side effects persist only in the course of medication and subside once the chemotherapy is complete. In the entire duration of the therapy, the side effects could fluctuate in between Onset of Chemotherapy, Nadir and during the last 21 - 28 days of the treatment.

  1. Onset of Chemotherapy- The commencement of treatment is from first 1-7 days

  2. Nadir: Nadir is the stage during chemotherapy when a patient’s WBC Count falls down abruptly. This goes for 9-14 days.

  3. Last 21-28 days the patient shows gradual recovery from various side effects faced during the treatment

Some frequent side effects of fluorouracil based treatment are outlined below:

  1. Diarrhea

  2. Nausea and vomiting

  3. Mouth sores and ulcers

  4. Poor appetite

  5. Lesion or abrasion at the point of application

  6. Dry palm and feet

  7. Body temperature above 100.5 F must be immediately informed to the doctor as this is a possible sign of infection

Precautions

  1. One must unfailingly intimate their doctors for others over the counter drugs or vaccination they are taking during the treatment

  2. Women must not get pregnant as the chemotherapy drugs are unsafe for the fetus

  3. Nursing or breast feeding must be put off as this could be detrimental for the child

Some precautions and chemotherapy care tips could nonetheless shelve the side effects. Few of them are highlighted below:

  1. Sucking ice chips when the chemotherapy is given could help in managing mouth sores and ulcers

  2. Use of soft food and liquid diet minimizes the chances of getting mouth sores

  3. Drink liquid or beverages at frequent intervals in the day. This would also help you relieve yourself from the side effects of colon cancer chemotherapy.

  4. Eat nutritious food importantly a diet that could appease diarrhea

  5. Ask your doctor for some anti nausea medicines to avoid nausea related discomfort

  6. Applying moisturizer regularly to your hands and feet would keep them moist and would reduce sores

  7. Take ample rest and sleep properly

Although the information fetched above is good for educational and learning perspective, one should always consult their health professional in case of any unusual symptoms.