When it comes to lung cancer, essentially chemotherapy means usage of cytotoxic medicines for killing the cancerous cells or making them less active.
Working of Chemotherapy:
Medications of chemotherapy work by killing the rapidly multiplying cells. As cancerous cells divide frequently than most cells, particularly they are more prone to these drugs. Certain cells also multiply rapidly, like stomach lining, hair follicles and bone marrow which makes white and red blood cells. This leads to several side effects such as nausea, hair loss as well as low count of blood cells. Various chemotherapy medicines work at various stages of cell division. Because of this, often 2 or more medicines are given simultaneously for killing the cancer cells.
When Chemotherapy is Used?
Unlike radiation therapy and surgery, which are regarded as local treatments, chemotherapy is considered as a systematic treatment, that is it kills cancerous cells present in any part of the body. This is helpful especially if the cancer cells develop beyond the areas treated by radiation therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy for lung cancer can be considered for various reasons:
- For shrinking the tumor before surgery: Sometimes, chemotherapy is used prior to surgery for shrinking the tumor and enhancing the chances for which surgery will be very effective.
- As an adjunct to surgery: Chemotherapy is given for killing the cancer cells which spread beyond the cancer and are not detectable by the scans.
- To aid in curing the cancer symptoms: If a tumor causes symptoms like shortness of breath or pain, chemotherapy can sometimes minimize the size of the tumor for reducing the symptoms.
- To prolong life in final stage of cancer: Chemotherapy can often extend the life when a cure is impossible.
How Chemotherapy is Given?
Some medications of chemotherapy are given in the form of oral pills, but many are given intravenously. Initially, 2 or more drugs are given. These are given in the cycles for 3 – 4 weeks at least 4 – 6 times.
Medications for Chemotherapy:
Several medications are used in treating lung cancer. Often, treatment begins with carboplatin or cisplatin when combined with other medications. Sometimes, targeted therapy can be used. Most common medications for lung cancer may include:
- Topotecan – Hycamtin®
- Vinorelbine – Navelbine®
- Vincristine – Oncovin®
- Vinblastine – Oncovir®
- Pemetrexed – Altima®
- Paclitaxel – Taxol®
- Irinotecan – Camptosar®
- Ifosfamide – Ifex®
- Gemcitabine – Gemzar®
- Etoposide – VePesid®
- Doxorubicin – Adriamycin®
- Docetaxel – Taxotere®
- Cisplatin – Platinol®
- Carboplatin – Paraplatin®
