Signs of ineffective chemotherapy

Post by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

If chemotherapy doesn't work for cancer patients or can't relieve symptoms, you can consider other options instead. However, the choice to discontinue chemotherapy is an important decision that should be carefully considered.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Cancer chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is a very powerful cancer treatment that can shrink the main tumor as well as kill cancer cells that may have broken the main tumor and stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. body.
However, this method does not work for everyone. Because some types of cancer may be more resistant to chemotherapy than others, similarly others can become resistant to it over time.
2. Signs of chemotherapy not working Here are some signs that chemotherapy is not working:
Tumor is not shrinking New tumor is continuing to form Cancer is spreading to new areas new or worse symptoms If chemotherapy doesn't work for cancer patients or doesn't reduce symptoms, you may want to consider other options instead. However, the choice to discontinue chemotherapy is an important decision that should be carefully considered.

3. How long can chemotherapy take to work? Usually, chemotherapy is given in cycles over a period of weeks, months, or even a few years. The exact time will depend on the type of cancer you have, the chemotherapy drugs used, and how the cancer responds to the chemotherapy drugs.
Several other factors affect how long chemotherapy takes to work, including:
Stage of diagnosis Previous treatments for cancer Some other potential treatments Age and how well the patient's overall health copes with side effects During this process, the timeline may have to be adjusted due to:
Low blood count Adverse effects on major organs Side effects serious Depending on the case, chemotherapy may be given before, after, or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies.
4. Alternatives to Chemotherapy If chemotherapy is no longer helpful, you may have other alternatives. However, to learn about the potential benefits and risks of other therapies, you should consult with your treating physician.
4.1. Targeted therapies Targeted therapies focus on specific changes in cancer cells that allow them to thrive.
These therapies are not yet available for all types of cancer, and can:
Make it easier for your immune system to find cancer cells Make it harder for cancer cells to divide, grow and develop spread more Prevents new blood vessels that help cancer grow Directly kills targeted cancer cells Prevents cancer from accessing the hormones it needs to grow 4.2. Immunotherapy Immunotherapy (biological therapy) is a method of using the power of the immune system to fight cancer. These spur the immune system to attack the cancer directly while others boost the immune system in general.
Types of immunotherapy include:
Cytokine checkpoint inhibitors Monoclonal antibodies Treatment vaccines 4.3. Hormone therapy Some cancers, including some types of breast cancer and prostate cancer, are fueled by hormones. Hormone therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, is a method used to block these hormones and "starve" cancer.
4.4. Radiation Therapy High doses of radiation can kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is not a systemic treatment like chemotherapy, however it can slow tumor growth or shrink it in a targeted area of ​​your body, which May also relieve pain and other symptoms.
In summary, if chemotherapy is not effective for cancer patients or cannot reduce symptoms, you can consider other alternatives such as radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy goal.... However, the choice to discontinue chemotherapy is an important decision that should be carefully considered.

References:
Hospice care for terminal cancer patients. (2014). Choosewisely.org/pworthy-resources/care-at-the-end-of-life-for-advanced-cancer-patients/ Chemotherapy tests. (2018). Cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/chemotherapy/planning/chemotherapy-tests If cancer treatments stop working. (2019). cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/if-cancer-treatments-stop-working.html Mayo Clinic. (2019). Alternative cancer treatments: 10 options to consider. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246 Types of cancer treatment. (nd). cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types