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A Common Pain Reliever May Help Prevent Hand-Foot Syndrome in Colorectal Cancer Patients

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A Common Pain Reliever May Help Prevent Hand-Foot Syndrome in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Capecitabine is a chemotherapy drug often used to treat colorectal cancer. While effective, one of its most common side effects is hand-foot syndrome (HFS). This condition causes redness, swelling, pain, and peeling on the palms and soles, making it hard for patients to walk, hold objects, or perform daily activities.

A new study looked at whether celecoxib, a medication usually prescribed for arthritis pain, could help protect patients from developing HFS. The trial included 44 patients with stage II colorectal cancer who were starting chemotherapy with capecitabine. Half of the patients received capecitabine alone, while the other half received capecitabine plus celecoxib.

The results were promising. Patients who took celecoxib had a much lower chance of developing HFS compared to those who did not. Blood tests also showed that celecoxib reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, which may explain its protective effect. Importantly, celecoxib was safe and well tolerated during the study.

For patients, this means celecoxib could be a simple and safe option to prevent one of the most uncomfortable side effects of capecitabine. By reducing HFS, patients may be able to continue their chemotherapy without interruptions and maintain a better quality of life.

More research with larger groups of patients is needed to confirm these findings, but this study gives hope for a practical way to ease treatment side effects.

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in Ahmeadbad
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