Managing Colorectal Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Summary

This guide explains common colorectal cancer treatment side effects. It covers surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. It also gives simple ways to ease nausea, cancer treatment fatigue, skin changes, and hair loss from chemotherapy. It explains when to call your care team and why daily self-care matters during treatment.

Start with this guide, then talk with your oncologist about your symptoms and how to manage chemotherapy side effects.

Going through colorectal cancer treatment can bring side effects. Some are easier to handle than others.

This guide shows how to handle side effects from chemotherapy and other colorectal cancer treatments. It offers simple tips that may help you feel better sooner.

Colorectal Cancer Surgery Side Effects

Recovery after surgery can be quick, and side effects may be mild. This is more common when only polyps are removed. If part of the colon is removed, colorectal cancer surgery side effects are often stronger.

A slow bowel, also called an ileus after colon surgery, is the most common issue after surgery. Anesthesia, pain medicine, and bowel surgery can make the bowels slow to wake up.

You may feel bloated, gassy, nauseated, or sick to your stomach. You may also be constipated for a few days.

Most cases get better in a few days. Tell your surgeon if it does not improve.

Common Colorectal Cancer Treatment Side Effects and Tips for Management

Here are some common side effects linked to cancer treatments used for colon or rectal cancer. The side effects of cancer treatment can differ from one person to the next. Start with this guide, and talk with your oncologist about any symptoms you have and how to manage chemotherapy side effects.

Call the office right away if you have a fever over 102°F.

Loss of Appetite or Nausea During Chemotherapy

Nausea can make it hard to eat or drink. This is often called chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite during chemotherapy is common.

Even when you do not feel sick, food may not sound good during treatment. Your body still needs fluids, calories, and nutrients to heal.

Tips to help with nausea or loss of appetite from cancer treatment:

• Drink water or salt drinks often.
• If you have been vomiting, fluids can help replace what you lost and bring salt levels back to normal.
• If plain water is hard to sip, use a straw or take small sips.
• Eat smaller meals more often to keep some food in your stomach.
• As your nausea gets better, slowly add healthier foods back into your diet.
• If nausea stays strong, contact your oncologist. They can review your anti-nausea medicine and adjust the dose if needed.

Cancer Treatment Fatigue

Many cancer patients feel tired during treatment and may stay tired for several months after it ends.

This is not from chemotherapy alone. Many people who get radiation therapy feel it too. Cancer treatment fatigue is a deep tiredness that rest does not fix. You may feel weak, slow, or worn out after simple tasks.

Tips to help with energy during cancer treatment:

• Try light movement, such as short walks or chair yoga.
• Fresh air can help too.
• Some people find nutrition counseling, massage therapy, or other support useful when they are dealing with cancer treatment fatigue.

Skin Care During Cancer Treatment

Some people get redness or peeling like a sunburn after radiation. Radiation can also make treated skin itchy.

Chemotherapy and certain immune medications can also affect the skin. You may notice itchiness, peeling, rashes, or a darker skin tone.

Apply moisturizer often. Choose products with little fragrance and alcohol. Avoid hot baths or long showers. Skip harsh scrubbing tools like loofahs or rough sponges, since they can irritate your skin more.

When you spend time outdoors, use sunscreen. Mineral-based formulas may feel softer on sensitive skin.

Hair Loss from Cancer Treatment

Not everyone loses hair during treatment. Your oncologist can tell you whether the chemo you are getting is likely to cause hair loss from chemotherapy. If hair loss does happen, you may lose hair on your head and eyebrows too. For most people, it grows back after treatment ends.

Tips to help prepare for and manage hair loss:

• Ask whether the Paxman Scalp Cooling cap may help.
• Cooling the scalp during treatment can lower hair loss for some patients.
• Talk with your Nurse Navigator or Chemo Nurse to learn whether you qualify.
• If your hair is long, think about cutting it shorter before treatment starts.
• Shorter hair can make hair loss less upsetting and easier to clean up.

Every Cancer Patient's Side Effects Are Different

Remember, these are only some of the most common side effects seen in colorectal cancer patients. Everyone is different. Talk with your cancer care team about what to expect from your treatment plan. Nurses and oncologists often have extra tips that can help you feel better during treatment.

Minnesota Oncology provides a supportive team for colorectal cancer patients in the Twin Cities area. They will support you throughout your care.

We focus on strong support for you and your family. Request an appointment for more information about how they can help you or a loved one.

Q&A

Question: What is an ileus after colorectal surgery, and when should I contact my surgeon?

Short answer: An ileus is when the bowels slow down for a short time after surgery. This can happen because of anesthesia, pain medicine, and the surgery itself.

You may feel bloated or gassy, have nausea or vomiting, or be constipated for a couple of days. It often gets better on its own in a few days, but if the symptoms do not improve, let your surgeon know.

Question: Which treatments are most likely to cause nausea or appetite loss, and how can I manage it?

Short answer: Chemotherapy most often causes these symptoms. Sip water or salt drinks often, even if you do not feel like it. Small amounts of food in your stomach can help reduce nausea. If nausea is severe, contact your oncologist so they can adjust your anti-nausea medicine.

Question: How is cancer-related fatigue different from normal tiredness, and what might help?

Short answer: Fatigue from treatment is a deep, lasting exhaustion that does not go away with a few nights of sleep.

Light activities such as short walks or chair yoga, plus fresh air and support services like nutrition counseling or massage therapy, can help boost energy.

Question: What kinds of skin changes can happen with treatment, and how can I care for my skin?

Short answer: Radiation can cause redness, peeling, and itchiness in the treated area. Chemotherapy and some immune drugs can lead to itchiness, peeling, rashes, or darker skin.

Use moisturizers with low fragrance and low alcohol often. Avoid long, hot baths or showers, and do not scrub hard. Also, remember to apply sunscreen. Mineral-based sunscreens may be gentler on sensitive skin.

Question: Will I definitely lose my hair, and are there ways to reduce hair loss?

Short answer: Not everyone loses hair. Your oncologist can tell you if your chemo is likely to cause it. If it is, options like the Paxman Scalp Cooling cap may reduce hair loss. Some people choose to cut longer hair shorter before treatment to make any loss less sudden and easier to manage.