DCEP treatment was associated with significant mortality, at 9.7%. Grade 3 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in 70.3%, 45.0%, and 43.2% of cycles, respectively.
Full Answer
What are the side effects of DCEP chemotherapy?
How DCEP chemotherapy is given and possible side effects. 1 Infection. 2 Risk of Bleeding. 3 Nausea & Vomiting. 4 Neuropathy.
What does DCEP stand for in cancer treatment?
DCEP for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma. DCEP is the acronym for a chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. D = dexamethasone. C = cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) E = etoposide (VePesid) P = cisplatin (Platinol) Chemotherapy is often given as a combination of drugs.
What is DCEP chemotherapy for multiple myeloma?
How DCEP chemotherapy is given and possible side effects. DCEP is the acronym for a chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of multiple myeloma Chemotherapy is often given as a combination of drugs.
What is the dose of cyclophosphamide in DCEP?
Each cycle of DCEP consisted of cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m (2)/daily, cisplatin 15 mg/m (2)/daily and etoposide 40 mg/m (2)/daily as a 24h infusion, all three drugs administered on days 1-4; plus dexamethasone i.v. bolus 40 mg daily, days 1-4.
What are the side effects of melphalan?
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lip/mouth sores, and loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.
How long does a cancer infusion last?
In general, it takes a few minutes for an IV push, while an IV infusion can take 30 minutes to several hours or more. A continuous infusion can last 1 to 3 days. In some cases, especially when you're getting a drug for the first time, you may need to stay a little longer for observation.
What is life expectancy with multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer of the blood. The median length of survival after diagnosis with multiple myeloma is 62 months for Stage I, 44 months for Stage II, and 29 months for Stage III. Life expectancy depends on many factors, including the person's age, health, kidney function, and more.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy for multiple myeloma?
The most common side effects of multiple myeloma treatment include:Blood clots.Low blood counts, leading to anemia and easy bruising.Tingling and numbness in your hands and feet (called peripheral neuropathy)Constipation.Nausea.Diarrhea.Fatigue.
Which is harder on the body chemo or radiation?
Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body.
Can I eat before chemo infusion?
Eat Light. Two to three hours before an infusion, eat a light, high-fiber snack. The drugs commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy can be constipating as well. Between staying hydrated and eating fiber, you should gain the upper hand on constipation.
How do you know when multiple myeloma is getting worse?
As active multiple myeloma gets worse, you'll likely feel sicker, with fatigue or bone pain. You may have anemia, bleeding problems, or a lot of infections. Other symptoms of advanced multiple myeloma include unusual fractures, shortness of breath, weakness, feeling very thirsty, and belly pain.
How do I know final stages of multiple myeloma?
But when you have late-stage multiple myeloma, your symptoms may show up as:Being sick to your stomach.Bone pain in your back or ribs.Bruising or bleeding easily.Feeling very tired.Fevers.Frequent infections that are hard to treat.Losing a lot of weight.Not feeling like eating.More items...•
Is multiple myeloma curable 2021?
While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, the cancer can be managed successfully in many patients for years.
How many chemo treatments are needed for multiple myeloma?
Most people have between 4 and 6 cycles of treatment. If you're having lenolidamide treatment you might carry on with this until it stops working. Depending on how well the treatment works, you will either have a stem cell transplant or more chemotherapy.
Does chemo for multiple myeloma make you sick?
Meds like bortezomib (Velcade), carfilzomib (Kyprolis), and ixazomib (Ninlaro) can cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Other chemotherapy drugs, bisphosphonates, and radiation treatments can make you queasy or throw up. Steroids may also make your stomach upset.
Is multiple myeloma curable 2020?
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer for which there is no cure. In 2020, of all patients newly diagnosed with a blood cancer, 18% are expected to be diagnosed with this type of blood cancer. Depending on the stage, the average survival rate is five to seven years.
What is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of certain kinds of drugs that destroy or control the growth of cancer cells. These drugs can be taken by mouth or given in a vein or a muscle. They enter the bloodstream and reach almost all areas of the body. At one time, chemo was often part of the main treatment for multiple myeloma.
What is Daratumumab used for?
This is thought to both kill the cancer cells directly and to help the immune system attack them. This drug is used mainly in combination with other types of drugs, although it can also be used by itself in patients who have already had several other treatments for their myeloma.
Can bisphosphonates help with myeloma?
Myeloma cells can weaken and even break bones. Drugs called bisphosphonates can help bones stay strong by slowing down this process. They can also help reduce pain in the weakened bone (s). Sometimes, pain medicines such as NSAIDs or narcotics will be given along with bisphosphonates to help control or lessen the pain. Bone pain can be a difficult symptom to treat during and after treatment for myeloma.
Can immunomodulating agents cause birth defects?
The way immunomodulating agents affect the immune system isn’t entirely clear. Three immunomodulating agents are used to treat multiple myeloma. The first of these drugs to be developed, thalidomide, caused severe birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Because the other immunomodulating agents are related to thalidomide, there’s concern that they could also cause birth defects. That’s why all of these drugs can only be obtained through a special program run by the drug company that makes them.
What happens if cancer stops working?
Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing. If this happens, your doctor might say your cancer has advanced or progressed. There may or may not be other treatment options. But when many different treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh ...
How to trust your doctor about cancer?
Trusting your cancer care team. Talking with your doctor and cancer care team, and trusting them to be honest, open, and supportive, is very important. You will have more confidence in treatment decisions if you trust the doctors making recommendations. This means communication is a key part of your care, from diagnosis throughout treatment ...
How to talk to your loved ones about cancer?
Talking with your loved ones. Be open with your loved ones about your cancer and the news you've been given. Explore their thoughts, feelings, and suggestions. Talk to them about the options you have been given, along with the decisions you have made or are thinking of making. If you feel you need their input, ask.
Is there hope for a life without cancer?
Staying hopeful. Your hope for a life without cancer might not be as bright, but there is still hope for good times with family and friends – times that are filled with happiness and meaning. Pausing at this time in your cancer treatment gives you a chance to refocus on the most important things in your life.
Can cancer shrink?
If you have cancer that keeps growing or comes back after one kind of treatment, it’s possible that another treatment might still help shrink the cancer, or at least keep it in check enough to help you live longer and feel better. Clinical trials also might offer chances to try newer treatments that could be helpful.
Can you get a second opinion on cancer?
When faced with deciding whether to continue cancer treatment, some patients or their loved ones may want to get a second opinion. Even when you place full trust in your doctor and cancer care team, you might wonder if another doctor could offer something else or more information. It's normal to think about talking to someone else, and your doctor should support you if you decide to get another opinion. Remember that your cancer care team wants you to be sure about the decisions you make. You can read more in Seeking a Second Opinion.
Does cancer stop working?
If Cancer Treatments Stop Working. Cancer treatments can help stop cancer from growing or spreading. But sometimes treatment does not work well or stops working. Maybe treatment ended a while ago and was successful at first, but cancer has come back. Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing.
