Three months of chemotherapy for lower-risk stage III colon cancer
As effective as six months for lower-risk cancer, with far less nerve damage.
What studies found
The IDEA analysis pooled six randomized trials with 12,834 patients. For lower-risk stage III cancer treated with CAPOX, three months gave 3-year disease-free survival of 85% versus 83.1% with six months, and nerve damage fell from 45% to 15%.
The catch
It doesn't apply to higher-risk (T4 or N2) cancers, or to FOLFOX, where six months is still advised.
What to do
If your cancer is lower-risk stage III, ask whether three months of CAPOX is enough.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the colorectal cancer page.
Related
- Structured exercise after colon cancerRung 5 · EstablishedYou can do thisRung 5 · EstablishedTreatmentYou can do this
- Test every colorectal tumor for mismatch repair and gene changesRung 5 · EstablishedWith your doctorRung 5 · EstablishedTreatmentWith your doctor
- BRAF-targeted treatment for BRAF V600E metastatic colorectal cancerRung 4 · StrongWith your doctorRung 4 · StrongTreatmentWith your doctor
- Immunotherapy after surgery for stage III mismatch-repair-deficient colon cancerRung 4 · StrongWith your doctorRung 4 · StrongTreatmentWith your doctor
- Immunotherapy for advanced mismatch-repair-deficient colorectal cancerRung 4 · StrongWith your doctorRung 4 · StrongTreatmentWith your doctor