Evaluation of the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer.

BACKGROUND

Modern anticancer chemotherapy can cause numerous adverse effects in the organism, whose functioning has already been disrupted by the neoplastic process itself.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the frequency and severity of the toxicity of FOLFOX-4 and CLF-1 anticancer therapy in patients with colon cancer, and to analyze certain factors that might have increased the toxicity of the chemotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 64 patients suffering from generalized colon cancer, including 48 patients treated according to the FOLFOX-4 regimen and 16 patients treated according to the CLF-1 regimen. The toxicity of each regimen was analyzed on the basis of a confidential questionnaire formulated by the authors and laboratory research according to the extended WHO toxicity criteria.

RESULTS

The analysis of the symptoms of toxicity symptoms associated with the use of the FOLFOX-4 and CLF-1 therapeutic regimens revealed that the most common side effects included nausea and vomiting, despite ondansetron premedication, and neurotoxicity. Disruption of the functioning of the nervous system under the FOLFOX-4 regimen statistically significant exacerbation that increased with the number of chemotherapy cycles administered; this was more common and more severe in women. Paresthesia was also revealed to be a neurotoxic effect of the FOLFOX-4 regimen after termination of therapy. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the use of vitamin supplements and the incidence and severity of the toxicity of the FOLFOX-4 regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study regarding the toxicity of the FOLFOX-4 and CLF-1 therapy regimens should be taken into consideration when monitoring chemotherapy safety in colon cancer. The patients' tolerance of the administered medication and the side effects reported by patients should be constantly evaluated, which will help prevent these side effects, apply appropriate therapy and contribute to the improvement of the patients' quality of life. The functioning of the central nervous system should be carefully evaluated when planning the anticancer therapy, especially if repeated administration of neurotoxic drugs is necessary in cases of a recurrence of the disease. Chemotherapy should be thoroughly monitored for safety, especially in women over 65 years of age suffering from coexisting diseases. Colon cancer patients and their families should be informed of the risks of nutritional supplements before the start of the anticancer chemotherapy, and may need to dispense with their use.