|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Chemotherapy Pills for Lung Cancer

The American Cancer Society reports there are two differentiations of lung cancer: primary, which starts in the lungs, and secondary, which starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the lungs. Primary lung cancer is further delineated as small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Small cell lung cancers spread rapidly and represent 20% of all lung cancers, while NSCLC represents almost 80% of all primary lung cancers.

  1. Chemotherapy Procedures

    • Chemotherapy can be defined as a chemical treatment to destroy or halt the reproduction and/or increase of cancerous cells. In the past, chemotherapy drugs were mainly administered intravenously; however, chemotherapy pills are now available. In treating NSCLC, it appears that oral medications have less severe side effects than chemo administered intravenously. It is also easier for the patients to take the pill at home rather than going to a clinic or hospital for dispensation. Not all chemotherapy drugs are available in oral form.

    Cytoxan

    • Cytoxan is an oral chemotherapy drug used to treat small cell lung cancer by interrupting and slowing the growth of the cancer cells. Side effects can be rather severe including allergic reactions, closing of the throat, fatigue, fever, chills, bladder problems and other reactions.

    Iressa

    • Iressa is a chemotherapy pill used to treat NSCLC. However, in 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required new labeling for this product that limits use to patients who are currently benefiting or have previously benefited from using Iressa. This action was taken because use of the oral drug showed no significant survival benefits. In a study mandated by the FDA, patients on Iressa survived about 7.6 months while those being treated intravenously with conventional chemotherapy drugs survived about 8 months. After one year, 32% of patients using Iressa were still alive versus 34% of those on conventional chemo. Side effects of Iressa include rash, acne and diarrhea.

    Tarceva

    • In 2004, the FDA announced approval of Tarceva as an oral chemotherapy treatment for patients with locally progressed or metastatic NSCLC. The drug was approved for patients whose cancer has continued to advance despite other treatments, including at least one prior chemo program. Tarceva's side effects include diarrhea, rash, nausea and vomiting. It may also cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.

    Prognosis

    • The prognosis for lung cancer is not good. USA Today reports this disease kills about 1.4 million people every year. Few treatments exist, and most patients die within a few years of diagnosis. With these grim statistics, the advantages of chemotherapy pills, prolonging life a while longer and helping individuals to maintain a higher quality of living, is more than a modest gain in the treatment of this disease.

Diseases - Related Articles