Medical Health Encyclopedia

Chemotherapy treatments are usually performed in an outpatient setting and in regular cycles for several months. How many chemotherapy cycles to administer in late-stage cancers, the timing of those cycles, and the sequences of the drugs are still matters of investigation. For instance, research suggests that a three- or four-course cycle may achieve the same survival times and better quality of life than the standard of six or more course cycles. Changing even one day in a drug sequence can sometimes significantly affect outcome. Such fine-tuning of chemotherapy regimens is likely to have the most effect on patients with advanced-stage disease, which requires more tailored treatment than does early-stage disease.

Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for lung cancer which may cure, shrink or keep the cancer from spreading.

Side Effects

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Side effects of any chemotherapeutic regimen are common, are more severe with higher doses, and increase over the course of treatment, though some trials suggest that toxicities can be reduced by administering the drugs for shorter durations without loss of cancer-killing effects. Common side effects include the following:

• Nausea and vomiting. Drugs known as serotonin antagonists, especially ondansetron (Zofran), can relieve these side effects in nearly all patients given moderate drugs and most patients who take more powerful drugs. In one study, a combination of dexamethasone (a steroid) with ondansetron taken within 24 hours of chemotherapy achieved either a major or complete reduction in nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Temporary hair loss.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Anemia. Anemia is common in lung cancer. It can be treated with transfusions or with injections of erythropoietin, an agent that stimulates red blood cell production. Erythropoetin is available as epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), which requires fewer injections. These agents improve well-being and quality of life. Trials are in progress to determine if they may have survival benefits as well.
• Depression.