Transcript Reconsidering Chemotherapy and Radiation

Reconsidering Chemotherapy
and Radiation Therapy for Cancer
Krisstina Lin
Cancer isn’t new to me
• A cousin to lung cancer
in 1999
• A grandfather figure to
multiple cancers in
2008
• Recently, a friend’s aunt
to uterine cancer
• Diagnosed in October of 2012
• Cancer was in remission with chemo until 2
months ago
• Passed away after failed attempts with
radiation therapy
Why is This?
Cameron Duncan 1986-2003
And many more ……….
Zach Sobiech 1995-2013
Chemo Only Works on Certain Cancers
• Acute lymphocytic
leukemia
• Hodgkin Disease (a
cancer of white
blood cells)
• Choriocarcinoma
(cancer of the
placenta)
• Wilm’s Tumor
(cancer of the
kidneys)
• Retinoblastoma
(cancer of the retina)
Chemo Only Works on Certain Cancers
• Acute lymphocytic
• Choriocarcinoma
leukemia
(cancer of the
placenta)
Effectiveness
reduction
• Hodgkin
Disease=(a50% or more
in the
size of a tumor
withinTumor
28 days
cancer
of white
• Wilm’s
treatment
bloodofcells)
(cancer of the
kidneys)
• Retinoblastoma
(cancer of the retina)
Radiation Therapy
• Theory behind radiation
is to stop fast dividing
cancer cells
• But radiation levels are
often much higher than
what’s given in x-rays
External Radiation Beam
X
Side Effects – Chemo
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anemia
Appetite changes
Bleeding
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Hair loss
Infection
Infertility
Dry mouth (having little or no saliva)
Changes in taste and smell (such as when food
tastes like metal or chalk, has no taste, or
does not taste or smell like it used to)
Infections of your gums, teeth, or tongue
Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods
Mouth sores
Trouble eating when your mouth gets very
sore
Nausea and vomiting
Itching, dryness, redness, rashes, and peeling
Darker veins
Sensitivity to the sun (when you burn very
quickly)
Nail problems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in
your hands or feet
Feeling colder than normal
Weak, sore, tired, or achy muscles
Being clumsy and losing your balance
Trouble picking up objects or buttoning your
clothes
Shaking or trembling
Hearing loss
Stomach pain, such as constipation or
heartburn
Fatigue
Confusion and memory problems
Dizziness
Depression
Pain
Sexual changes
Urinary, kidney, and bladder changes
Flu-like symptoms
Fluid retention
Trouble wearing contact lenses
Blurry vision
Watery eyes
Side Effects – Chemo
Side Effects – Chemo
Nutritional
• Ulcers in mouth =
unable to eat
• Ulcers in stomach =
unable to digest
• Ulcers in intestine =
unable to absorb
nutrients
Immunological
• Stem cells cannot form
new white blood cells
• = lowered immune
systems
• = higher chances for
infection
Side Effects – Radiation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Hair Loss
Mouth sores
Dry mouth and throat
Sore throat
Loss of taste
Tooth decay
Changes in taste
Infections of your gums, teeth, or
tongue
• Jaw stiffness and bone changes
• Thick, rope-like saliva
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Sexual and fertility changes such
as impotence, sterility, and pain
while having sex
• Redness, dryness, and itchiness of
skin
• Pruritus
• Moist reaction of skin cells
• Swollen Skin
• Painful, frequent and/or having
problems urinating
• Blood in urine
Side Effects – Radiation
Cancers Can Develop Resistance
Cancers Can Develop Resistance
X X
Cancers Can Develop Resistance
REMEMBER!!!
Chemotherapy and radiation are NOT cures
They are TREATMENTS for the symptoms of cancer
From a pharmocology point of view, it’s only temporary relief
Remember the definition of effectiveness?
50% or more reduction within 28 days, but
what about all the days that follow?
Be Open Minded…
• There is currently no known cure for cancer
• Chemo and radiation can help reduce cancer
symptoms, but keep in mind that it’s true
effectiveness is not what it seems and in fact
can kill you instead
• There are other options available
…There is Hope
Perhaps the best thing is to know your options
and know the details……
……and realize that cancer isn’t as scary as we
make it out to be.