TheraGuide 5-FU - What is 5-FU?

5-FU (Fluorouracil) Chemotherapy

5-FU is given by injection to treat cancer. It works by interfering with cancer cell growth. It is often, but not always, used to treat the following cancers:

Colon cancer
Rectal cancer
Breast cancer
Head and neck cancer

Side Effects of 5-FU
Like many anti-cancer treatments, 5-FU can cause troubling side effects. Most side effects are manageable. However, some patients are hit especially hard with side effects that interfere with daily life or cause serious complications.

Serious side effects include:

Neutropenia – A decrease in white blood cells, which can lead to infections
Diarrhea – Can result in dehydration and nutritional deficiencies
Hand-foot syndrome – Pain, swelling, or redness of the hands or feet that prevents normal activity
Stomatitis – Inflammation in the mouth cavity
Suppression of bone marrow activity – Results in reduction in the number of platelets, red cells, and white cells found in the blood

For up to 1 in 5 patients, a doctor will have to reduce the dosage, interrupt, or even stop treatment due to side effects from 5-FU, therefore side effects can keep a patient from getting the full benefit of 5-FU treatment.

WHEN YOU KNOW THE RESULTS OF TheraGuide™ 5-FU…
…if you are at high risk for side effects, you and your doctor can make better decisions about your chemotherapy.

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