Adding Camptosar May Benefit Colon Cancer Patients

Camptosar is the brand name for irinotecan, a chemotherapeutic agent. Findings presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2005 Annual Meeting indicated that adding Camptosar to the standard chemotherapy regimen (leucovorin and fluorouracil) may increase the disease-free survival of patients with stage 2 or stage 3 colon cancer.

However, the researchers also found that those who received standard chemotherapy plus irinotecan experienced more serious diarrhea. Specifically, 12 percent of patients (instead of 6 percent of patients in the control group) suffered grade 3/4 diarrhea.

Further study is needed, but if you're currently receiving standard chemotherapy (leucovorin and fluourouracil) for stage 2 or stage 3 colon cancer, you may want to discuss these findings with your doctor. She/he should be able to advise you regarding whether the potential benefit is likely to outweigh the risks in your case.

_{Source: Moyer, Paula. "Irinotecan May Improve 5-Fluorouracil/Leucovorin Combination in Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer." Medscape Today. 18 May 2005. 25 Aug. 2006 [http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/505120].}