What is CHOP chemotherapy

Few people are aware of the fact that there are many different types of chemotherapy, until they have to learn about it. You may be wondering why this is. Well, to put it simply, different types of cancers respond better to some chemotherapy drugs than others. The multiple types of chemotherapy are to help increase survival rates in cancer sufferers.

What is CHOP Chemotherapy?

The term CHOP refers to the types of chemotherapy drugs that are used with this type of treatment. The first three drugs – Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Vincristine – are generally given at the same time. The Adriamycin and Vincristine are given through an IV. The Cyclophosphamide is also usually given through an IV but it can be given in a pill form. The fourth drug in CHOP chemotherapy, Prednisolone, is given in the form of a pill. This is taken for five days at home. CHOP chemotherapy generally goes through 6 to 8 cycles, which are repeated every four weeks. CHOP therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with Rituximab.

What is CHOP Chemotherapy Used For?

CHOP chemotherapy is most commonly used to treat lymphoma that is not Hodgkin’s disease related. Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that specifically affects the white blood cells. It can range from indolent to aggressive. More severe cases of lymphoma may require other types of treatment like radiation, stem cell transplantation, monoclonal antibodies, or immunotherapy. Your doctor can advise you about the severity of your condition and whether or not any of these other types of treatment will be necessary.

CHOP Chemotherapy Side Effects

All types of chemotherapy come with side effects. The most commonly experienced side effects include vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and hair loss. Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea drugs to help reduce chemotherapy induced nausea. You should also rest as much as possible while undergoing CHOP therapy. This will help you while you are receiving treatment.

Peripheral neuropathy can develop while receiving CHOP chemotherapy. This is a condition in which the feet and hands can tingle or burn. Sensitivity to pressure can occur and you can even experience difficulty when walking. Symptoms of this condition may decrease over time and may even eventually discontinue completely.

More long term side effects have also been noted with CHOP chemotherapy. CHOP therapy leaves you at a high risk for permanent sterility. You will also be at an elevated risk for developing other types of cancer, particularly cancer of the brain, lungs, kidneys, bladder, and melanoma cancer. CHOP increases your risk for developing acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease. Some survivors have also experienced a higher risk of left ventricular dysfunction.

While receiving treatment, you may experience cold chills. Let the nurse know if this happens. They should be able to find you a blanket. You may also experience urine discoloration after treatment. This is common because of the drug Adriamycin. Constipation is also common. Stoll softeners can help remedy this issue but you should talk to your doctor first. If you should happen to experience any burning or red streaks while chemotherapy drugs are being administered, you should notify the nurse immediately.

Things You Should Discuss With Your Doctor

Before you receive CHOP chemotherapy, you should talk with your doctor about any medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamin supplements, and birth control. You should try and avoid getting pregnant while receiving CHOP chemotherapy and should discuss with your doctor immediately if you suspect you could be pregnant at any time during your treatment.

Because individuals with certain health conditions or family history of certain health conditions run a greater risk of certain side effects, you should discuss your health and family history with your doctor before going forward with CHOP chemotherapy. This is especially true if you or anyone in your family have a history of heart conditions. You should also notify your doctor if you smoke since this could increase your risk for certain side effects as well.

Because CHOP chemotherapy can cause permanent sterility, you should talk to your doctor if you want to start a family someday. You may be able to freeze or store your eggs or sperm so that you can safely have a child of your own after the treatment is completed.

Taking Care of Yourself During CHOP Chemotherapy

It is important that you slow down and take care of yourself as you receive treatment. This will help you stay as healthy as possible, decreasing any health risks that can occur during CHOP chemotherapy. Drink more water than usual and avoid overexertion. Pain can become extensive at times during chemotherapy and you may want to take something to help you feel better. However, it is important that you talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including over-the-counter pain medication. Some of these medications can thin your blood and are not recommended for pain relief during your chemotherapy treatments.

What is ABVD Chemotherapy

Learning that you need chemotherapy can be very intimidating. You are likely to have a lot of questions, concerns, and fears. This is normal. After all, when most of us think about chemo, we envision someone that has lost all of their hair and is very sick. And, we also know that chemotherapy is not always successful.

To ease your fears, you can learn more about the type of chemotherapy you will be receiving. Learn how it affects the type of cancer you have. You may also want to take the time to learn about the side effects that are likely to be experienced with the type of chemotherapy you will be receiving. Knowing more about your treatment and what to expect can help you prepare and feel less stressed when your treatment begins.

What is ABVD Chemotherapy?

ABVD is most commonly used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is a cancer of the lymphatic system in which the lymphatic cells grow in an abnormal way. The cells can then spread outside of the lymphatic system to the rest of the body. As the condition persists and progresses, you will be less able to fight infection and are at a higher risk for serious illness.

There are four different types of drugs found in ABVD chemotherapy; doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. Two of the drugs, vinblastine and doxorubicin, are given through an IV with saline fluids. The other two drugs, dacarbazine and bleomycine are given by infusion.

Before Starting Treatment

You should talk to your doctor about your medical history before starting ABVD chemotherapy. Some previous treatments or health conditions that can increase your chance for serious side effects, like previous radiation to chest. Additionally, you should talk to your doctor if you suspect that you are pregnant.

While ABVD chemotherapy is thought to not cause any permanent damage to fertility, you should still talk to your doctor if you plan to start a family someday. Your doctor may recommend that you bank your eggs or sperm, just to be on the safe side.

What to Expect During Treatment

In most cases, ABVD chemotherapy is considered an outpatient type of treatment. This means that you will not stay in the hospital overnight. Your doctor may choose to admit you, however, if you have an advanced stage of cancer that is making you very ill or if you have other serious health conditions.

Before you can receive treatment, your doctor will perform a blood test to ensure that you are able to receive treatment. Once your doctor has received the results of your blood test, as long as everything is okay, you will start your treatment. It will start at a chemotherapy treatment center where a nurse prepping your arm or hand for an IV. However, in some cases, a cannula must be used, which is a small plastic tube that is placed underneath the skin around the collarbone area.  ABVD chemotherapy treatments usually last for about two hours. You will then return home, once you are feeling well enough to do so.

ABVD chemotherapy is given in cycles. Once you complete the first phase of your chemotherapy drugs, you will take a two week rest. You will then restart your chemotherapy and go through another two week period of rest. This is considered one cycle of treatment. Two weeks later, you will start a new cycle. Generally, patients are given between two and eight cycles of ABVD which can take anywhere from two to eight months to complete. Your doctor will base the number of cycles you need based upon the severity of your cancer and how well you are responding to treatment.

Side Effects of ABVD Chemotherapy

Like all chemotherapy treatments, there are multiple side effect possibilities. It is unlikely that you will experience all of the side effects that can occur with ABVD chemotherapy but you are likely to experience at least some of them. For each patient, the side effects can be different.

Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, ulcers of the mouth, changes in your skin or nails, fever, allergic reaction, numbness or tingling in the extremities, changes in bowels, and fatigue are all very common side effects experienced with ABVD chemotherapy. A more serious side effect is the reduction of white blood cells. This can cause an increased chance of infection, high temperature, and unexplained or abnormal bruising or bleeding. You should talk to your doctor about any side effects that occur while you are receiving ABVD chemotherapy. Some side effects can be serious. Others can be remedied or reduced with the help of medication.

Patients who receive ABVD chemotherapy are also at a higher risk for secondary cancers. However, you should be aware that Hodgkin’s disease also places you at a higher risk, so there is no way to tell for sure which condition is most responsible for creating secondary tumors. You should talk to your doctor about your risk regarding secondary cancers.