GemCarbo Chemo - Positive Side Effect

[Beatless]

I have NSC cancer in left Lung, think it's stage 3.

I'm on GemCarbo Chemo, at end of 2nd out of 3 cycles.

My cough & bringing up Phlegm has greatly reduced since I started the Chemo.

Is this a good sign that the drugs are having a positive effect?

[LorraineD Partner Roy Castle]

Hello Beatless

That is great news. Yes, rapid relief of a cough has been reported in the lung cancer literature following chemotherapy.

Kind regards

Ask the Nurse team @ Roy Castle helpline

[Beatless in reply to LorraineD]

Lorraine,

Thanks, is there a link so I could read more?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Beatless

The chemotherapy drugs of gemcitabine and carboplatin are designed to stop the cancer cells dividing and spreading, in effect this may reduce any symptoms that you have had, which is understandably encouraging.

Hopefully this may be confirmed when you have your follow up scan.

This is the link to our booklet on chemotherapy, which you may or may not have already: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Beatless in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Many thanks, scan is set for end July, just can't wait for it!

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

HI BeatlessHope all continues to go well for you.

I have placed a paragraph below from a research article, which can be quite technical and hard to follow so have placed the section below that may be more relevant for you:

"Systemic chemotherapy, were indicated, can improve symptoms in lung cancer, and there are a number of studies with varied chemotherapy regimens, where symptoms and quality of life were secondary outcomes, showing improvements in symptoms including cough [i.e. [26-30]]. Rapid palliation of cough (and other thoracic symptoms) can particularly be achieved in small cell lung cancer."

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Beatless in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Again, many thanks