Question 1

is chemo therapy suggested at the age of 75?

Accepted Answer

It's not the age: But the vitality and lack of co-morbidities that make a difference.  Nevertheless, one must seriously consider the benefits of doing versus the liability of not doing, and hear the worst and the expected complications.  If the benefit doesn't sound worth it or the complications too high, simly say no thank you.

Question 2

what is the common ingredient in chemo therapy?

Accepted Answer

Anti DNA: Karnofsky had noted early on that nitrogen mustard gas destroyed the immune system.  He introduced the drug nitrogen mustard to treat leukemias etc.  Later the fluorouracils were developed to interfere with DNA synthesis and this was followed by noting that platinum in catalytic converters blocked DNA synthesis in bacteria and fungus. Later this was shown to attack DNA on surface membrane of tumor

Question 3

can chemo therapy causing stroke symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many types of chemotherapy can directly affect the brain and cause stroke-like symptoms.  Some chemotherapy also increases the risk of blood clots, or the risk of bleeding, both of which may cause strokes.  Be sure to tell your doctor immediately about these symptoms.

Question 4

has chemo therapy alone ever cured any cancer at all?

Accepted Answer

Childhood cancers: May childhood cancers, especially leukemias, and Hodgkin disease are usually curable.

Question 5

how can the chemo therapy drug vincristine be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Neurotoxicity: The major dose limiting toxicity of vincristine is neuropathy.  There are other "usual" chemo side effects including bone marrow suppression -- lowering wbc, rbc, PLT -- but neurotoxicity is the one we watch for the most.

Question 6

what is chemo therapy used for besides treating cancer?

Accepted Answer

Immune suppression: The same drugs are used to treat some autoimmune disorders, like SLE, Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and treatment of organ rejection after transplants.

Question 7

can you have back pain when recovering from chemo therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many chemotherapy agents can cause muscle and backe pain, which may persist for a while after completing therapy.

Question 8

doctors, what are the odds of a skinny person surviving chemo therapy?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: Skinny does not mean malnourished.  Albumin levels are a good lab to determine how noursished a person is.  If it is greater than 4, you're in a good spot.  Less than 2 is not a good spot.  The side effects of chemotherapy are the ones that take a toll on someone, but usually you have doctor's support in treating symptoms.  Doctor will make decision with patient on ability to tolerate.

Question 9

what to do if i have multi. myealoma cancer am advised to take chemo therapy?

Accepted Answer

You have 3...: ...choices, my friend: you can follow your doctor&#x27;s advise and take the medicine, you can choose to do nothing, or you can consider a second opinion. It is your God given right to select one of the 3 but know that with each choice there are consequences.  I believe that if a patient has  doubts, a second opinion never hurts and I encourage my patients to do so if they feel they need it.

Question 10

what is benefit of chemo therapy when it pretty much never ever cures a cancer in adults?

Accepted Answer

A better question...: A better question is, "What is the benefit compared to the risks?" That's because everything in life has risks as well as benefits. Thus, it is how one lives life, and NOT how long one lives, that matters. There is benefit of chemo if chemo improves how one lives. One can say there is no benefit if chemo does not improve how one lives. That's wiser than counting how many days chemo might add.

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Is fulvestrant considered chemo therapy

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Is chemo therapy suggested at the age of 75?

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What is the common ingredient in chemo therapy?

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Can chemo therapy causing stroke symptoms?

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Has chemo therapy alone ever cured any cancer at all?

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How can the chemo therapy drug vincristine be harmful?

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What is chemo therapy used for besides treating cancer?

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Can you have back pain when recovering from chemo therapy?

A member asked:

Doctors, what are the odds of a skinny person surviving chemo therapy?

A member asked:

What to do if i have multi. myealoma cancer am advised to take chemo therapy?

A member asked:

What is benefit of chemo therapy when it pretty much never ever cures a cancer in adults?

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