What type of cancer does etoposide treat?
Etoposide is used in combination with other medications to treat a certain type of lung cancer (small cell lung cancer; SCLC). Etoposide is in a class of medications known as podophyllotoxin derivatives. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Is etoposide a chemotherapy drug?
Etoposide is a chemotherapy drug and is also known by its brand name Etopophos or Vepesid. You might have it as a treatment for a number of different types of cancer.
What are the side effects of the drug etoposide?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, tiredness, weakness, changes in taste, loss of appetite, and pain/redness at the injection site may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe.
Do you lose your hair with etoposide?
This medicine often causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with etoposide has ended, normal hair growth should return.
How many rounds of chemo can a person have?
During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
How long does etoposide stay in the body?
Pharmacokinetics. On intravenous administration, the disposition of Etoposide is best described as a biphasic process with a distribution half-life of about 1.5 hours and terminal elimination half-life ranging from 4 to 11 hours.
What is etoposide used to treat?
Etoposide is used to treat certain forms of lung cancer (such as small cell lung cancer). Etoposide works by slowing the growth of cancer cells.
When should I take etoposide?
Oral etoposide is given by mouth, in the form of a capsule. The capsule(s) should be swallowed whole, on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after eating). Do not chew, open, break or crush the capsules. The dosage and schedule are determined by the person’s size, type of cancer, and mode of administration.
What is the life expectancy after chemotherapy?
During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).
What is the next treatment after chemotherapy?
Maintenance therapy is the ongoing treatment of cancer with medication after the cancer has responded to the first recommended treatment. Maintenance therapy, sometimes called continuous therapy, is used for the following reasons: To prevent the cancer’s return.
How many rounds of chemo is normal?
How do I know if the chemo is working?
The best way to tell if chemotherapy is working for your cancer is through follow-up testing with your doctor. Throughout your treatment, an oncologist will conduct regular visits, and blood and imaging tests to detect cancer cells and whether they’ve grown or shrunk.
Can you take etoposide with food?
Etoposide is preferably taken on an empty stomach with a glass of water; it may be taken with food if needed. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice starting 3 days before and ending 1 day after your etoposide dose, as these may interact with etoposide.
Can you live a normal life after chemo?
When treatment ends, you may expect life to return to the way it was before you were diagnosed with cancer. But it can take time to recover. You may have permanent scars on your body, or you may not be able to do some things you once did easily. Or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much.
Can you live a normal life while on chemo?
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.
Can you live a normal life on chemo?
What are the signs that chemo is working?
Complete response – all of the cancer or tumor disappears; there is no evidence of disease. A tumor marker (if applicable) may fall within the normal range. Partial response – the cancer has shrunk by a percentage but disease remains. A tumor marker (if applicable) may have fallen but evidence of disease remains.
Does drinking water help flush out chemo?
Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.
Which cancers are most likely to recur?
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.
What is the next step after chemotherapy?
Once you have finished your cancer treatment, you should receive a follow- up cancer care plan. Follow-up care means seeing a doctor for regular medical checkups. Your follow-up care plan depends on the type of cancer and type of treatment you had, along with your overall health.
What is the fastest way to recover from chemotherapy?
Tips: fighting fatigue
- Plan your day.
- Save your energy by changing how you do things.
- Take short naps or rest breaks between activities.
- Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Do what you enjoy, but do less of it.
- Let others help you.
- Just say “no” to things that do not matter as much to you now.
What are good snacks for chemo patients?
Some quick-and-easy snacks
- Cereal (hot or cold)
- Cheese (aged or hard cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and more)
- Cookies.
- Crackers.
- Dips made with cheese, beans, yogurt, or peanut butter.
- Fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)
- Gelatin made with juice, milk, or fruit.
- Granola or trail mix.
Is walking good for chemo patients?
It strengthens the body’s heart and lungs and can help you feel less tired during and after treatment. Walking is an easy way to get aerobic exercise. For example, your health care team may suggest walking 40 to 50 minutes, 3 to 4 times per week, at a moderate pace. Strength training.
What cancers have the lowest survival rate?
The cancers with the lowest five-year survival estimates are mesothelioma (7.2%), pancreatic cancer (7.3%) and brain cancer (12.8%). The highest five-year survival estimates are seen in patients with testicular cancer (97%), melanoma of skin (92.3%) and prostate cancer (88%).
Are cancers more aggressive when returning?
Cancer recurrence may seem even more unfair then. Worse, it’s often more aggressive in the younger cancer survivor – it may grow and spread faster. This aggressiveness means that it could come back earlier and be harder to treat.