You will often receive chemo in sessions where you have treatment for several weeks, followed by a few weeks off before resuming. Your tumor may start to shrink after one round, but it can also take months. Your oncologist will have a personal discussion with you about how long they think results might take.
Oncologists define a response to treatment as a decrease in tumor mass of at least 50%.
On average, chemotherapy treatments take 3-6 months to complete. This can vary depending on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer, and the specific chemotherapy drugs being used.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
While chemotherapy is one of the oldest and most successful ways of treating cancer, it doesn't always work. So, yes, cancer can spread during chemotherapy. Spreading could mean the tumor keeps growing, or that the original tumor shrinks, but cancer metastasizes, forming tumors in other areas of the body.
Many of the commonly used cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, kill tumor cells. But sometimes, after those cells have died and been cleared away, a tumor will respond by growing faster and more aggressively.
You may begin to worry that the cancer will spread during this time. But we know that most cancers usually grow slowly. So waiting a few weeks for a scan or treatment does not usually affect how well the treatment works.
If it shrinks or grows, you won't be able to see or feel it. So your doctor will do tests every few months or so during your treatment. These tests can see where the cancer is in your body and whether it has grown, stayed the same size, or gotten smaller.
This phenomenon, called pseudoprogression, actually means cancer is may be responding to treatment. In some cases, however, it's possible that the tumor growth may be interpreted as a sign that treatment isn't working, and the care team may be tempted to stop treatment early.
Cancer may sometimes come back after cancer drug treatment or radiotherapy. This can happen because the treatment didn't destroy all the cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by attacking cells that are in the process of doubling to form 2 new cells.
Cancer cells can shrink or grow to enhance their ability to repair or contain DNA damage, and that in turn can make them resistant to certain treatments.
Palliative treatment is not just about medicines to control symptoms - such as painkillers and anti sickness drugs. Cancer treatments can also reduce or get rid of symptoms. For example, they can help to reduce pain by shrinking a tumour and reducing pressure on nerves or surrounding tissues.
Which Type of Cancer Spreads the Fastest? The fastest-moving cancers are pancreatic, brain, esophageal, liver, and skin. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer because it's fast-moving and there's no method of early detection.
Which cancer has the highest recurrence rate? Cancers with the highest recurrence rates include: Glioblastoma, the most common type of brain cancer, has a near 100 percent recurrence rate, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, have discovered that the remains of tumor cells killed by chemotherapy or other cancer treatments can actually stimulate tumor growth by inducing an inflammatory reaction.
Chemotherapy can be used at any stage of cancer, from IA/IB to IV. The nature of chemo varies according to the type of cancer the patient has. Doctors may recommend that breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy if they find early-stage tumors in the lymph nodes.
Most people have ups and downs during treatment, but support is available. Some people find they can lead an almost normal life during chemotherapy. But others find everyday life more difficult. You may feel unwell during and shortly after each treatment but recover quickly between treatments.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat due to its aggressive nature. It often responds initially to chemotherapy but is the most common breast cancer to recur; when it recurs, it is more resistant to chemotherapy, making it less responsive and more challenging to treat.
You may worry about the safety of family and friends while you are having chemotherapy. There is little risk to visitors (including children, babies and pregnant women) because they aren't likely to come into contact with any chemotherapy drugs or body fluids.
Trouble sleeping is common during and after cancer treatment. Good sleep habits can help. Sleep allows your body to refresh, replenish, and rebuild. It helps your immune system work better and keeps you mentally sharp.
Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing. Use a soft towel to gently wash skin.