The Cancer Directory. Dr. Daniel Rosy

successful cancer drugs come from natural sources – adriamycin comes from a fungus found on buildings on the Adriatic coast; vincristine originated from the pretty blue Vinca (periwinkle) plant, often seen in English gardens; taxol and taxotere, collectively called taxanes, were derived from the Pacific yew tree – and were also found by accident. There are now several other derivatives synthesized in the laboratory.

       Chemotherapy Regimes

      Chemotherapy is often given as a mixture of two or three drugs in a fixed pattern, known as a ‘chemotherapy regime’. There are many regimes, which are constantly changing, as research is ongoing to define the optimal combinations for the best effects. Specific regimes are not covered here as they would quickly become out of date. Once you know what chemotherapy drugs your oncologist is offering, further information about them can be obtained from:

       • CancerBACUP. This organization has excellent leaflets about the various anti-cancer drugs, and a website with a comprehensive section on chemotherapy (www.cancerbacup.org.uk)

       • Pharmacologists in the information departments of major hospitals

       • Part 2 of the Resources Directory. This lists other useful websites and resources for more information about your treatment

       • The UK Cancer Options team, which offers in-depth information, including the results of clinical trials using the drugs, the rates of responses, and how frequent and severe the side-effects were. It will also research the clinical evidence for you and let you have the facts.

       Administration of Chemotherapy

      There are several ways drugs can be given for cancer. Some can be taken as pills or capsules, but the majority are given through an intravenous drip. They may sometimes be delivered straight into a body cavity such as the bladder or abdomen. Most can now be given via an outpatients clinic.

      Chemotherapy suites with comfortable reclining chairs and a bright, supportive atmosphere have sprung up throughout cancer-treatment centres. These are usually run by nurses, who are expert at dealing with the administration of chemotherapy. They are huge founts of knowledge about the side-effects, any likely problems that may be encountered and how to deal with them creatively.

       The Side-effects of Chemotherapy

      Effects on Fast-growing Tissues

      Because tumour cells are so close in structure and function to normal cells, it is not surprising that any drug that reduces cancer growth also affects normal cells. This means that many cancer drugs have very potent side-effects, and are only prescribed by specialists in the field. Anti-cancer drugs inhibit cell turnover in general and so affect most severely the most rapidly dividing cells in the body. These include those in the bone marrow that form blood cells, and those in the lining of the intestines, skin and hair follicles. A depressed immune system is common with many anti-cancer agents because of their effect on bone marrow. Therefore, when considering your treatment plan and assessing your tolerance levels, you may wish to consider how to offset this effect on immune function by immune stimulation (see Chapters 5 and 7).

      Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhoea

      The side-effects of chemotherapy are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue, from both the immediate shock to the tissues and bodily systems, and your body’s ongoing natural reaction to expel toxic substances from the body. This is the same mechanism that comes into play when you inadvertently eat something that gives you food poisoning, and is a normal defence mechanism.