What Are the Uses of FOLFOX Chemotherapy?
The primary purpose of FOLFOX is to treat colorectal cancer. Your healthcare provider may also recommend it to treat pancreatic cancer and other types of cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, FOLFOX can also be used as an adjuvant treatment. That is, it can be combined with primary therapy. It can also be used to treat cancers that have spread to other vital organs of the body near your colon.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, it would help to take FOLFOX or one of XELOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy, if you have metastatic colon cancer. Metastatic colon cancer occurs when the cancer cells have moved from the original location to other tissues and lymph nodes.
Researchers have studied the results of all three kinds of treatment. Let’s take a look at them.
FOLFOX as first-line treatment
Your doctor may administer FOLFOX as a first-line treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma that has moved from the colon to other tissues and cannot be cured with radiation or surgery. Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the most popular form of colon cancer.
FOLFOX as an adjuvant treatment
Adjuvant therapy is a cancer therapy administered after the first treatment to help prevent exacerbation and reoccurrence of the condition. For instance, surgery is the major treatment for colon cancer. Your doctor will recommend chemotherapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells remaining in your colon. You can use XELOX or FOLFOX for 6 months as an effective adjuvant treatment method if you have stage three colon cancer.
According to studies, FOLFOX is more effective for treating stage three colon cancer if you take at least eight hours of treatment. Each round must last for at least two weeks.
FOLFOX as a palliative treatment
FOLFOX is an effective palliative treatment for late-stage colon cancer that cannot be cured. As a palliative treatment, FOLFOX works to enhance total well-being and lengthen life span.