Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treatment Guidelines

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A cancerous cell is a group of abnormal cells that grow and spread continuously when a cell becomes cancerous in colon or rectum then it is known as colorectal cancer.
The tumor has a property of breaking down. The tumor breaks and spreads to other parts of the body by the bloodstream or using the lymphatic system. Thus this can cause malignancy and the process of spreading and breaking down of tumors is known as metastatic. The cancer is always named by the part where it started originally so when colorectal cancer is spread by the process of metastatic this is known as metastatic colorectal cancer.

The colorectal cancer metastasis and deposits to its most common site which is the liver. Colorectal cancer can also spread through the bloodstream to the brain, bones, lungs, and spinal cord.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Symptoms: There are few symptoms of metastatic colorectal cancer which are mentioned below:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Abdominal cramping
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Blood in stool
• Stool color becomes black or Maroon
• Unexplained weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Jaundice
• Abdominal swelling
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Bone pain
• Seizure

A metastatic colorectal cancer diagnosis: Few patients can see the symptoms at the initial stage while in a few cases the symptoms appear at the final stages. The main test of diagnosing metastatic colorectal Cancer is Colonoscopy which is carried by biopsy.

Colonoscopy is used to see the cancerous cell and its activity. A biopsy is done to check whether the tumor is metastatic or not. 

The Colonoscopy or imaging test of metastatic colorectal cancer includes:

• CT scan: CT scan is used to check the spreading of colorectal Cancer to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. CT scan is also very helpful in the case of biopsy as it is used to determine the metastases in organs.

• Ultrasound: Basically ultrasound is done to check whether colorectal cancer has spread to the liver or not.

• MRI: MRI scan is done in the region of pelvic as well as abdominal areas to check the spreading of cancer.

• X-ray: A chest x-ray is done to check the metastases of colorectal cancer to the chest. X-ray is also used in testing the bone metastases.

Metastatic colorectal cancer treatment: The treatment of colorectal cancer depends upon the size of the tumor, location of the tumor, and spreading of tumors. There are several factors that affect the cancer treatment of patients such as overall health, age, and potential.

However, this is a fact that metastatic colorectal cancer is barely curable. The main objective of the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is to prevent symptoms and increase the life expectancy of the patient.

Below are mentioned a few treatment methods of metastatic colorectal cancer:

• Surgery: surgery of a tumor is done after a trusted pre-clinical trial which determines whether the tumor is metastasis or not. Surgery is done to avoid blockage of the colon as well as to prevent complications.

• Radiation therapy: High energy X-rays are used to destroy the cancer cell in Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is generally used in the treatment of rectal cancer as a tumor stay in a nearby location.

• Meditation: Medication used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is given through the bloodstream which reaches cancerous cells throughout the body. The most common way to give medication is either in the form of pills or inject intravenously. There are few therapies help in the  treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer:

• Chemotherapy 

• Immunotherapy 

• Targeted therapy

Chemotherapy: chemotherapy is the combination of a drug that is used in the treatment of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used before the surgery to shrink the cancer cell and after the surgery to wipe out all the remaining cancerous cells.

Immunotherapy: The natural immune system of the human body is boosted with the help of different medications to fight against cancerous cells.

Targeted therapy: In targeted therapy the protein formation activity or genetic changes of cancerous cells is detected and its normal functioning is inhibited with the help of drugs. The best drug used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is regorafenib who has already received chemotherapy and other targeted therapy. The most effective dosage is as regorafenib 40mg.

What is regorafenib used for?

As an oral multi-kinase inhibitor, the drug regorafenib 40 mg is used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. 

Side Effects of regorafenib: The commonly reported regorafenib side effects may include:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Weight loss
• Infection
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Hoarseness
• Voice changes
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure
• Decreased food intake
• Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR)

Apart from these events, this drug may be responsible for causing liver problems, which may be serious and fatal.

Is regorafenib a chemotherapy?

This medication specifically is a type of targeted cancer medication named a cancer growth blocker. Regorafenib tablets need to be taken once daily. The regorafenib dose should be taken at the same time, every day. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water and following a low fat food/meal. 

How does regorafenib work? 

Regorafenib is a group of medicines named antineoplastics, or anti-cancer drugs. This medication is believed to prevent the growth as well as spread of cancer cells by interfering with the development of the blood vessel system that basically supplies the tumour.

How much does regorafenib cost? 

The cost of Regorafenib (nublexa 40 mg) 40 mg for pack 28 tablets is about Rs 59,000. This drug should always be purchased from a WHO-GDP and ISO certified pharmaceutical wholesaler company.

Cost of Nublexa: nublexa 40 mg is available at a very decent and affordable price. A pack contains regorafenib 28 tablets. A respective patient can purchase this drug through any authorized pharmaceutical firm. 

 

Note: Before starting treatment with Regorafenib, consult a healthcare professional. In order to know more about this medication, read full prescription information.