Name of the Procedure:

• Common Name: Capecitabine Treatment
• Medical Term: Capecitabine, oral, 500 mg (HCPCS Code: J8521)

Summary

Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy medication used to treat certain types of cancer. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Purpose

Capecitabine is primarily used to:

• Treat colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
• Reduce the size of tumors.
• Prevent the recurrence of cancer after surgery.

Indications

• Metastatic colorectal cancer.
• Metastatic breast cancer.
• Patients who have previously received certain other cancer treatments and need an additional therapy.

Preparation

• Patients may need to undergo blood tests to check liver and kidney function prior to starting treatment.
• Follow any specific dietary instructions given by the healthcare provider.
• Inform your doctor of all medications and supplements you are taking.

Procedure Description

1. Prescription: Capecitabine is prescribed by the oncologist.
2. Dosing: Typically, the medication is taken twice daily, within 30 minutes after a meal.
3. Administration: Oral tablets are swallowed with water.
4. Monitoring: Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the patient's response to treatment and manage side effects.

Duration

• Each treatment cycle lasts about 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest period (21-day cycle).
• The number of cycles varies based on the patient's condition and response to the drug.

Setting

• The medication is taken at home, but patients will have regular check-ups at an outpatient clinic or hospital.

Personnel

• Oncologist.
• Oncology nurse.
• Pharmacist.

Risks and Complications

• Common: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and hand-foot syndrome.
• Rare: Severe liver toxicity, heart problems, low white blood cell count, and severe infection.

Benefits

• Reduces the size of tumors and slows cancer progression.
• Potentially extends survival in patients with advanced cancer.
• Can shrink tumors enough to make surgical removal possible.

Recovery

• Regular blood tests to monitor health and side effects.
• Stay hydrated and maintain nutritional intake.
• Avoid exposure to infections.
• Follow-up appointments to adjust dosage if necessary.

Alternatives

• Intravenous chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Surgery, depending on cancer stage and location.
• Each alternative has different side effects, efficacy, and suitability based on individual patient circumstances.

Patient Experience

• Patients might experience side effects such as gastrointestinal upset and fatigue.
• Pain management may be necessary for side effects like mouth sores and hand-foot syndrome.
• It’s crucial for patients to communicate any side effects to their healthcare team for prompt management.

By understanding these aspects, patients and their families can better prepare for and manage the treatment involving Capecitabine.