According to a study presented at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists March 2008 meeting in Tampa, chemotherapy dose reduction is associated with poor survival in advanced ovarian cancer. This is not shocking new information, but is a reminder that there is indeed a need to balance aggressive treatment with quality of life.
Dr. Chura and associates looked at those patients who had to have their doses of chemotherapy either reduced or delayed for medical reasons. These reasons were usually related to bone marrow suppression from the chemotherapy.
Patients who had to have their doses reduced or delayed had a significantly worse progression free survival, although overall survival was not as clearly affected.
The message? Although high dose chemotherapy does not work any better than standard dose chemotherapy, reducing the dose or lengthening the time between standard chemotherapy administration can reduce your chances of living longer. If there is a delay or dose reduction required, it helps to discuss this with your physician to see if anything can be done with bone marrow supporting drugs. Every situation is different, but this is something to consider in general.
Dr. Chura and associates looked at those patients who had to have their doses of chemotherapy either reduced or delayed for medical reasons. These reasons were usually related to bone marrow suppression from the chemotherapy.
Patients who had to have their doses reduced or delayed had a significantly worse progression free survival, although overall survival was not as clearly affected.
The message? Although high dose chemotherapy does not work any better than standard dose chemotherapy, reducing the dose or lengthening the time between standard chemotherapy administration can reduce your chances of living longer. If there is a delay or dose reduction required, it helps to discuss this with your physician to see if anything can be done with bone marrow supporting drugs. Every situation is different, but this is something to consider in general.