Radiation & Xeloda

[dhdoyle68]

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on 2/4/14, large mass just above my anal canal. CT scan indicated that the cancer appears to be inside my colon and no lymph nodes affected. CT scan also found a 6 cm spot on my left kidney. The plan, six weeks of radiation on my colon along with oral Xeloda (don't know the dose yet), then removal of the kidney spot and my whole colon. I still have to meet with the radiologist & urologist. They believe the kidney spot is more of a coincidence and not a met. Still have things to iron out but has anyone else had radiation & Xeloda? DougD

[LabLover]

I had xeloda and radiation. 5 days on/2 days off for 5.5 weeks. So essentially Monday-Friday chemo and radiation. Nothing on weekends. Then start over again. I had no issues with the xeloda and honestly the radiation didn't start to get uncomfortable until 4 weeks in or so. Even then it was manageable- baths, creams, and Advil. I was able to work the entire time with no issues.

Good luck.

[PGLGreg]

I had 5 injections of 5fu+leucovorin during the first 5 day week of radiation, then another 5 during the fourth week of radiation. That was for a tumor in the rectum 5 cm above the anus, and my chemoradiation was after surgery. It was 8 years ago, and it seems to have worked. I had no real problem with the treatment -- some diarrhea which was controlled by Lomotil.

[BrownBagger]

I had 5 weeks of Xeloda and radiation (25 treatments) pre-op and didn't have any real problems, other than late-stage fatigue and some rectal discomfort. But that stuff took about 3 weeks to kick in, and lasted about 2 weeks after my last treatment. Didn't slow me down at all--I worked full-time and worked really hard for a week putting on a trade show the week right after my last treatment.

[GreenMonkey]

I had a T3 mass, 5cm from the anal verge. Also have a mass on my kidney that doesn't seem to concern anyone (opinions at Johns Hopkins, Yale, Cornell, Sloan).

From the get go I hated the idea of external radiation - but thats just me. I didn't want it with my breast cancer either and elected to have a double mastectomy to avoid it (no regrets).

I ended up doing internal radiation at Johns Hopkins, with no chemo up front. It wasn't fun but it was a quick 5 days and I got a complete pathologic response which was my first piece of good news.

I'm on xeloda and oxaliplatin now, post surgery and tolerating the xeloda very well. Best of luck to you.

[chemo sabe]

Radiation and xeloda are "standard of care" for rectal cancer. They can shrink the tumor prior to the operation without frying too much else - it makes the operation easier. Why are they going to remove your entire colon and not just resection it?

[Coppercent]

I had 28 days of Xeloda and radiation. It went very smoothly. My co-workers didn't even know I was in treatment. Just listen to your radiation oncologists advice and you will do well. Best of luck.

[dhdoyle68]

Thank-you for all your responses, I'm still nervous as hell. I was told that Xeloda is well tolerated and hopefully that's the case.
Chemo sabe, to answer your question. I also have had Crohn's disease for over 25 years and my colon is pretty much a waste land. I still not sold on removing my whole colon and having an Ileostomy. Thanks again folks.

[Patience]

Thank-you for all your responses, I'm still nervous as hell. I was told that Xeloda is well tolerated and hopefully that's the case.

It is well tolerated by some patients. It is not well tolerated by some patients. But be cautious by paying close attention to any "new" symptoms of discomfort that might come up after being on Xeloda, these symptoms might be the early stage of the drug "not being well tolerated". We believe that Xeloda contributed to my husband (the patient) being hospitalized.