Chemotheropy: Part-1

A guide for patients and their families

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is a disease of the cells. Cell are the body’s basic building blocks - they make up tissues and organs. The body constantly makes new cells to help us grow, replace worn-out tissue and heal injuries.Normally, cells multiply and die in an orderly way, so that each new cell replaces one lost. Sometimes, however, cells become abnormal and keep growing. In solid cancers, such breast or prostate cancer, the abnormal cells form a mass or lump called a tumour. In some cancers, such as leukaemia, the abnormal cells build up in the blood.

Not all tumours are cancer. Benign tumours tend to grow slowly and usually don’t move into other parts of the body or turn into cancer. Cancerous tumours, also known as malignant tumours, have the potential to spread. They may invade nearby tissue, destroying normal cells. The cancer cells can break away and travel through the bloodstream or lymph vessels to other parts of the body.

The cancer that first develops is called the primary cancer. It is considered localised cancer if it has not spread to other parts of the body. If the primary cancer cells grow and form another tumour at a new site, it is called a secondary cancer or metastasis. A metastasis keeps the name of the original cancer. For example, pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver is called metastatic pancreatic cancer, even though the main symptoms may be coming from the liver.


HOW IS CANCER TREATED?

Most cancers are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/ or radiation therapy (radiotherapy). Other drug treatments, such as hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, can also be used for some types of cancer. The different treatments may be used alone or in combination.

Your treatments

The treatments you have depend on several factors, including:

  • The type of cancer you have
  • Where it began(primary cancer)
  • Whether it has spread to other parts of your body (metastatic, called secondary cancer)
  • Your general health, age and preferences
  • What treatments are currently available
KEY QUESTIONS
Q: What is chemotherapy?

A: Chemotherapy (sometimes just called “chemo”) is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The drugs are called cytotoxic, which means toxic to cells (cyto). Some of the drugs come from natural sources such as plants, while others are completely made in a laboratory.

Q: How does it work?

A: All cells in the body grow by splitting into two cells or dividing. Chemotherapy damages cell that are dividing rapidly. Most chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstreams and travel throughout the body to target rapidly dividing cancer cells in the organs and tissues. This is known as systemic treatment. Sometimes chemotherapy is delivered directly to the cancer. This is known as local chemotherapy.

Q: How is chemotherapy used?

A: You might have treatment with a single chemotherapy drug or a combination of several drugs. There are many different types of chemotherapy drugs, and each type destroys or shrinks cancer cells in a different way.
The chemotherapy drugs you have depends on the type of cancer. This is because different drugs work on different types of cancer. Sometimes chemotherapy is the only treatment needed, but you may also have surgery, radiation therapy or other drug therapies chemotherapy, and it may be given with other drug therapies.

Q: Why have chemotherapy?

A: Chemotherapy can be used for different reasons:

  • To achieve remission or cure : In many cases, chemotherapy causes the signs and symptoms of cancer to reduce or disappear(often referred to as remission or complete response). The treatment may be called curative chemotherapy.
  • To help other treatments : Chemotherapy is sometimes given either before or after other treatments. If used before (neoadjuvant therapy), the aim is to reduce the cancer so the other treatment is more effective. If chemotherapy is given after the other treatment (adjuvant therapy), the aim is to get rid of any remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often given with radiation therapy to make the radiation therapy more effective.
  • To control the cancer : Even if chemotherapy cannot achieve remission or complete response (see above), it may be used to control the cancer’s growth and stop it spreading for a period of time. This may be called palliative chemotherapy.
  • To relieve symptoms : By shrinking a cancer that is causing pain and other symptoms, chemotherapy can improve quality of life. This is also called palliative chemotherapy.
  • To stop cancer coming back : Chemotherapy might continue for months or years after remission. This is called maintenance. It aims to prevent or delay the cancer returning.
Q: Why does chemotherapy cause side effects?

A: Chemotherapy works on cells that are dividing rapidly. Cancer cells divide rapidly, as do some healthy cells. These include cells in your blood, mouth, digestive system and hair follicles.
Side effects occur when chemotherapy damages these normal cells. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells can recover, so most side effects are temporary. The drugs used for chemotherapy are constantly being improved to give you the best possible outcomes and to reduce potential side effects.

Q: How is chemotherapy given?

A: Chemotherapy is most often given via a vein (intravenously). It is sometimes given in other ways, such as tablets you swallow (oral chemotherapy), as a cream, or as injections into different parts of the body. The choice depends on the type of cancer being treated and the chemotherapy drugs being used.

Q: Does chemotherapy hurt?

A: Having a needle inserted for intravenous chemotherapy may feel like having blood taken. If you have a temporary tube (cannula) in your hand or arm, only the initial injection may be uncomfortable. If you have a central venous access device, it should not be painful. Your oncologist will let you know which method is suitable.

Q: Where will I have treatment?

A: Most people have chemotherapy during day visits to a hospital or treatment centre. In some cases, an overnight or extended hospital stay may be needed. People who use a portable pump or have oral chemotherapy can have their treatment at home. Sometimes a visiting nurse can give you intravenous chemotherapy in your home. Your treatment team will discuss which options are available to you.

Q: How long does treatment last?

A: How often and for how long you have chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer you have drugs that are used. You will usually have a number of treatment cycles, and these may be daily, weekly or monthly.
Often people have chemotherapy over 6-12 months, but it’s possible to have it for a shorter or longer period. Maintenance chemotherapy (to control the cancer or relieve symptoms) may last many months or years.

MAKING TREATMENT DECISIONS

Sometimes it is difficult to decide on the type of treatment to have. You may feel that everything is happening too fast, or you might be anxious to get started. Check with your specialist how soon treatment should begin - often it won’t affect the success of the treatment to wait a while. Ask them to explain the options, and take as much time as you can before making a decision.

  • Know your options : Understanding the disease, the available treatments, possible side effects and any extra costs can help you weigh up the options and make a well-informed decision. Check if the specialist is part of a multidisciplinary team and if the treatment centre is the most appropriate one for you - you may be able to have treatment closer to home, or it might be worth travelling to a centre that specialises in a particular treatment.
  • Record the details : When your doctor first tells you that you have cancer, you may not remember everything you are told. Taking notes or recording the discussion can help. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend go with you to appointments to join in the discussion, take notes or simply listen.
  • Ask questions : If you are confused or want to check anything, it is important to ask your specialist questions. Try to prepare a list before appointments. If you have a lot of questions, you could talk to a cancer care coordinator or nurse.
  • Consider a second opinion :You may want to get a second opinion from another specialist to confirm or clarify your specialist’s recommendations or reassure you that you have explored all of your options. Specialists are used to people doing this. Your GP or specialist can refer you to another specialist and send your initials results to that person. You can get a second opinion even if you have started treatment or still want to be treated by your first doctor. You might decide you would prefer to be treated by the second specialist.
  • It’s your decision : Adults have the right to accept or refuse any treatment that they are offered. For example, some people with advanced cancer choose treatment that has significant side effects even if it gives only a small benefit for a short period of time. Others decide to focus their treatment on quality of life. You may want to discuss your decision with the treatment team, GP, family and friends.
WHICH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WILL I SEE?

A: During chemotherapy you will be cared for by a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your treatment. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT) and it may include some or all of the professionals listed below.

*Note that only some patients see a cancer care coordinator. It is important to maintain or develop a relationship with a general practitioner (GP). This health professional will be involved in your ongoing care, particularly once the cancer treatment finishes.

General Practioner (GP) Assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care.
Medical Oncologistor Haematologist: Treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (these are known a systemic treatments).
Radiation Oncologist Treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy.
Onco-Surgeon Surgically removes tumours and performs some biopsies; specialist cancer surgeons are called surgical oncologists.
Cancer Care Coordinator Coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT, and supports you and your family throughout treatment; may also be a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Nurse Administers drug, including chemotherapy, and provides care, information and support through your treatment.
Palliative care specialist and nurses Work closely with the GP and oncologist to help control symptoms and maintain quality of life.
Pharmacist Dispenses medicines and gives advice about dosage and side effects.
Dietitian /Nutritionist Recommends aneating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery.
Social worker Links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical or financial issues.
Occupational therapist /Physiotherapist Assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after treatment and recommending aids and equipment.
Psychologist / counsellor Help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment.