Chemotherapy for tumors, referred to as chemotherapy, is an anti-tumor method that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy is currently one of the main treatments for lung cancer. Through a complete and targeted chemotherapy regimen, it can improve the clinical symptoms, prolong the survival time and improve the quality of life of patients with lung cancer.
When is chemotherapy needed?
1, Early stage Ib non-small cell lung cancer patients with high-risk factors (including poor differentiation, wedge resection, maximum tumor diameter greater than 4 cm, choroidal invasion, invasion of dirty pleura, inadequate lymph node biopsy, etc.) are feasible for adjuvant chemotherapy.
2.Patients with stage II and III non-small cell lung cancer need chemotherapy after surgery (i.e. postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy) to reduce the incidence of distant metastases and improve the survival rate.
3.Patients with stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer at the time of diagnosis can be considered for pre-surgical chemotherapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to suppress the primary tumor lesions, kill the possible micro-metastases, and create conditions for surgery.
4.Patients with inoperable stage IIIb and IV non-small cell lung cancer may receive chemotherapy to prolong their survival and improve their quality of life if their physical condition permits.
5. Patients with small cell lung cancer should receive chemotherapy in both limited and extensive stages.
What are the common side effects of chemotherapy?
1.Nausea and vomiting
2.Constipation and diarrhea
3.Hair loss
4.Oral mucous membrane ulcers
5, liver and kidney function damage
6.Decrease in white blood cells, anemia and platelet reduction
7. Skin necrosis at the injection site, etc.
What should be noted in chemotherapy?
1.Avoid smoking
2.Avoid cold infection, pay attention to nutrition and rest
3.Full dose, full course of treatment, avoid halfway
4.Treat the side effects of chemotherapy correctly, relax and contact your doctor in time
5.Regularly monitor the blood routine and liver and kidney function, if there are abnormalities, deal with them in time
6.Regular review to evaluate the effect of treatment
7. Strictly follow the doctor’s prescription, and seek the doctor’s opinion for taking other drugs
8.Regular follow-up, generally every three to six months, the frequency of follow-up mainly depends on the patient’s condition and the initial treatment
9.Immune-boosting agents can be given during chemotherapy to regulate the patient’s immune function when available.