Is Abrupt Stopping Of Chemotherapy Dangerous?

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

Question: Would stopping chemo be a big risk ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
hi and welcome

Detailed Answer:
First it depends on what kind of malignant disease are we talking about and what is the stage if this cancer. So if you tell me these infos I could tell you more. In every case,if chemo was recommended by doctor then you should not doubt in its purpose and in most cases it will prolong life or sometimeseven lead to cure. It may be unpleasant but in some cancers it is very effective. The last decision always is yours of course.regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

It's bowel cancer with a recent metastases to liver and 1 node metastases.he's had 1 session so far n side effects are chest pain , heart burn , burning and fatigue n appetite loss

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome

Detailed Answer:
if this metastasis and colon cancer cant be surgically resected then chemotherapy is the only hope for longer survival rates. also, chemoth may cause tumor shrinkage and tumor may become operabile then. So in every case it is worth of continuing chemo. These side effects are known and may be unpleasant but it can be managed with certain mediciens and diet. it will improve by time so I wouldnt recommend stopping chemo at this point until the effect on tumor is seen.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (3 hours later)

Is folfori known to work in such situations?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
First, it is not possible to cure metastatic colorectal cancer with chemotherapy alone and it can only reduce tumor mass and slow down disease progression. Usually it can prolongs life for 10-20 months, with average of 12 months. Folfiri regimen is standard chemotherapy protocol and everything depends on fact will patient be responsive on therapy. If he is not responmsive then it is better to stop cehmoth since eypected life time is same with and without chemoth.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (24 minutes later)

So even with a single met and single node , life expectancy is 10-20 month ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
10-20 months longer than without chemo.If primary tumor and metastases can't be surgically removed then yes. If primary tumor is removed then survival is much longer. And if primary tumor and liver lesion Is removed and lymph node not,then lymph node may regress completely on chemo.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (5 hours later)

Ok but his recent cea was 8 . Is that better if cea is low or ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
Yes it is,but it is not good factor for prediction of prognosis since in many cases cea can be low and tumor spread. It indicates that colon tumor is not growing but it is not related to metastatic lesions.

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar