Induction chemotherapy

Induction Chemotherapy is a type of chemotherapy treatment that is used as the first line of treatment to shrink a tumor before the main treatment, which is usually surgery, is given. This type of chemotherapy is also known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Overview

Induction chemotherapy is used to try and eliminate the visible disease and to improve symptoms. It is often used in cancers that are locally advanced, such as head and neck cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The goal of induction chemotherapy is to reduce the size of the tumor to make surgery or radiation therapy more effective.

Procedure

Induction chemotherapy is given in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a recovery period. The total course of induction chemotherapy usually lasts for a few months. The exact length of treatment depends on how well the cancer responds to the drugs and the side effects that a patient experiences.

Side Effects

Like all forms of chemotherapy, induction chemotherapy can cause side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and an increased risk of infection due to a low white blood cell count. The side effects of induction chemotherapy can often be managed with supportive care and medications.

See Also

• Chemotherapy
• Cancer treatment
• Neoadjuvant therapy

References

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