How is it usually treated?

Chemotherapy, the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells, is the usual treatment for people with advanced colorectal cancer. The chemotherapy drug most commonly used (standard treatment) is called 5-fluorouracil (5FU). It is usually given with a vitamin called folinic acid, which makes 5FU work better.

Although chemotherapy does not completely cure advanced colorectal cancer, it can shrink or control it for a while. Previous trials have shown that chemotherapy can help patients live longer with fewer symptoms.

Two newer chemotherapy drugs (irinotecan and oxaliplatin) have also been shown to be helpful treatments for advanced colorectal cancer. The FOCUS trial is looking at the best way of using these drugs.

CancerBACUP’s information on cancer of the large bowel (colon and rectum) gives more detail about advanced colorectal cancer and its treatment.