Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or taken by mouth. These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body, making this treatment useful for some types of lung cancer that have spread or metastasized to organs beyond the lungs.
Unfortunately, carcinoid tumors usually do not respond very well to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is mainly used for carcinoid tumors that have spread to other organs, are causing severe symptoms, and have not responded to other medicines. In some cases it may be given after surgery
Because chemotherapy does not always shrink carcinoid tumors, it is important to ask your doctors if your chances of benefit outweigh the side effects you may have.
Some of the chemotherapy drugs that may be used for advanced lung carcinoids include:
- Streptozotocin
- Etoposide (VP-16)
- Cisplatin
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®)
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®)
- Dacarbazine (DTIC)
In most cases, several chemotherapy drugs are used together, often in combination with other types of medicines.
Doctors give chemotherapy in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to allow the body time to recover. Chemotherapy cycles generally last about 3 to 4 weeks, and initial treatment typically involves 4 to 6 cycles. Chemotherapy is often not recommended for patients in poor health, but advanced age by itself is not a barrier to getting chemotherapy.
Possible side effects of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs work by attacking cells that are dividing quickly, which is why they work against cancer cells. But other cells in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and intestines, and the hair follicles, also divide quickly. These cells are also likely to be affected by chemotherapy, which can lead to side effects.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of drugs given and the length of time they are taken. Common side effects include:
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased chance of infections (caused by low white blood cell counts)
- Easy bruising or bleeding (from low blood platelet counts)
- Fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts)
These side effects are usually short-term and go away after treatment is finished. There are often ways to lessen these side effects or keep them from occurring. For example, drugs can be given to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.
Some drugs such as cisplatin can damage nerves (a condition called neuropathy). This may lead to symptoms (mainly in the hands and feet) such as pain, burning or tingling sensations, sensitivity to cold or heat, or weakness. In most cases this goes away once treatment is stopped, but it may last a long time in some people. You should report this -- as well as any other side effects or changes you notice while getting chemotherapy -- to your medical team so that it can be treated promptly. In some cases, the doses of the chemotherapy drugs may need to be reduced or treatment may need to be delayed or stopped to prevent the effects from getting worse.
For more general information about chemotherapy, please see our document, Understanding Chemotherapy: A Guide for Patients and Families.
Feedback
