GemCarbo Chemotherapy

[Beatless]

Am told they are to give me "GemCarbo" starting next week.

Is this the standard treatment for NSC Lung Cancer or is there anything better?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi,GemCarbo is used to treat different types of cancer. The decision as regards which treatment is best is for you is decided by the team of specialists managing your care. I have attached a link for information about Gemcarbo. I have also attached a link for our chemotherapy for lung booklet which gives you quite a lot of information regards chemotherapy which I hope is helpful.

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

Kind regards,

All the helpline support team.

[Beatless in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

This concerns me a bit, as it says "GemCarbo" is used for Bladder/Breast/Ovarian cancer, no mention of Lung Cancer which is what I have.

Have they selected the correct treatment??

[IanM1957 in reply to Beatless]

I'm no expert but I think you can rest assured that your oncology team have selected what they feel is the most appropriate treatment for you and your condition.Incidentally, on the Cancer Research UK website it says:-

GemCarbo is the name of a chemotherapy combination that includes the drugs:

Gem – Gemcitabine

Carbo – Carboplatin

GemCarbo is a treatment for:

non small cell lung cancer

bladder cancer

advanced breast cancer

ovarian cancer

I wish you all the best with your treatment.

[Beatless in reply to IanM1957]

Ian, My mind is now at rest, as is the rest of my body, thanks

[JanetteR57]

Yes, it's a common combination - lung cancer these days involves many different tests to determine biological characteristics of the tumour and patient - which is why test results are so important to see whether patients are clinically eligible for particular targeted agents if their tumours are the type where such treatments are available as standard of care or via clinical trials... if not, then dependent on the stage, fitness of the patient etc, the clinical team dealing with the patient then determines the most appropriate type of treatment and agents for the patient. Therefore it's possible for several patients with the same type of cancer from a non small cell lung cancer to be on completely different agents but all are appropriate if they meet the criteria and all are 'standard of care'... lung cancer treatments have changed beyond recognition in the last 6 or 7 years and even with the headings 'radiotherapy' 'chemotherapy' and surgery' there are different types of treatment. Always ask your clinicians or specialist nurse if you have questions as they can respond specifically based on your situation. good luck with your treatment.

[Beatless in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks, but it's just hard to define the questions to ask

[JanetteR57 in reply to Beatless]

Roy Castle lung cancer foundation has information about all the different treatment types and these often include some frequently asked questions as well as questions you might want to ask your clinical team - we don't have to be scientific experts - just ask the questions that are bothering you - for example, how often the treatments might be, what are the side effects, how many people experience side effects in general, how might you need to prepare for your treatment - or whatever bothers you - write them down - keep a notebook by the bed if they wake you up... and ask them... the lung cancer charities work with a number of patients and clinicians to help keep their information as up to date and relevant as possible but there's no such thing as a daft question... so be brave and ask... good luck... roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

[Beatless in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks for the help & advise