Treatment choices, side effects and medical care: Lung Cancer - Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs, which destroy cancer cells by damaging them so that they can't divide and grow (see Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancerhelp). These drugs can also affect normal cells that are growing and dividing, and this causes side effects (see 'Side effects of chemotherapy'). The drugs are usually given into a vein (intravenously) via a needle.
Patients with different types of lung cancer are likely to receive different combinations of chemotherapy drugs. A cycle of chemotherapy may last a few days. The number of courses given to a person depends on the type of cancer, on the response to the drugs and on the side effects of treatment. A course may be given every three weeks and up to six courses may be advised.
Before receiving chemotherapy a blood sample is taken to make sure that the blood, kidneys and liver are working normally. If the chemotherapy has had serious side effects a course of treatment has to be postponed.
For small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy is the main treatment. In many cases chemotherapy will enable people to live for longer with better control of symptoms. It may be given on its own or before radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy is sometimes also used for those with non-small cell lung cancer in order to control symptoms, or it may be used before surgery or radiotherapy to try to improve results. The latter is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
It has been suggested that chemotherapy may also improve some of the symptoms of mesothelioma but as yet there is no evidence that it will prolong life.
Some patients have chemotherapy as a day treatment. One man with mesothelioma, who was taking part in a chemotherapy trial, explained what it was like on his first day of chemotherapy. He remembered the blood tests, waiting for the chemotherapy drugs to be prepared, the drip in his arm, and the camaraderie on the ward. Another person recalled the excellent care she received. However, other people were less positive about their chemotherapy, which one man found long and boring.
Other people stayed in hospital for a few days while having their chemotherapy, but could move around the ward with their chemotherapy drugs on a stand. They could make tea in the kitchen and walk to the toilet.
Last reviewed May 2010.
Last updated May 2010.
