Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body in order to kill cancer cells. The side effects from the chemotherapy come from the fact that it destroys normal cells as well as cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given either alone or along with radiation therapy. When given alone, it is given in a higher dose designed to kill off cancer cells. When given along with radiation therapy, it is delivered at a lower dose and is designed to make the cancer more sensitive to the radiation.

Chemotherapeutic drugs used in treating lung cancer include cisplatin, etopside, carboplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine,doxorubricin, vincristine, ifosamide, and gemcitabine hydrochloride. Most treatment regimens will combine two or more of these drugs. The types, dosages, and duration of treatment will depend on the stage and type of your tumor and how well it responds to treatment.

Chemotherapy is usually given by vein, but some forms can be given by mouth. Your medical oncologist will tell you how many cycles or courses of chemotherapy are best for you. Usually there are between 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy given when the chemotherapy is delivered on its own, and up to 10 cycles of chemotherapy when the drugs are given along with radiation therapy. The side effects and amount of time required in the doctor’s office depend on the type of chemotherapy you receive, as well as how many cycles you get and how often.

Most patients suffer from fatigue and loss of appetite, hair loss, weakness, and some degree of nausea and vomiting. Many also complain of fuzziness in thinking (“chemo brain”). In general, side effects can be managed by changes in diet and lifestyle as well as medications. These side effects almost always resolve completely once treatment is finished.

You may require a blood transfusion or medications (such as Neulasta, Procrit, or Epogen) that help stimulate your own body to make more blood cells. This may be necessary to maintain an adequate blood count, particularly if you get high dose chemotherapy. Your doctor will generally draw your blood every week during chemotherapy to ensure that your blood counts are adequate.