It is a treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Chemotherapy is usually the treatment given to people with SCLC, known as adjuvant chemotherapy while for NSCLC patients, they're given chemotherapy with combination of drugs or single drug. The type of chemotherapy given depends on the type of cancer. Chemotherapy may also be used for some people to treat lung cancer which has spread to other areas of the body.
How chemotherapy is given?
In most cases of lung cancer, chemotherapy drugs are administered by injection directly into a vein (IV) or by means of a catheter, a thin tube that is placed into a large vein and remains there as long as it is needed. Some anticancer drugs are given in the form of a pill.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ensures all cancer is destroyed when used in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery and radiation, or it may help to shrink a tumour in preparation for other treatments.
- Improves the quality of life for patients whose cancer is incurable, even if it is not a cure.
Cons:
- Lowered resistance to infection (neutropenia) - Chemotherapy can reduce the number of white blood cells made by the bone marrow, making one more likely to get an infection.
- Brusing or bleeding - Chemotherapy can reduce the production of platelets, which help the blood to clot.
- Anaemia
- Nausea
- Sore mouth
- Hair loss
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