Equal Survival with Shorter Chemotherapy Course Debilitating fatigue and unrelenting nausea are common side effects of chemotherapy. But a new report suggests that a shorter duration of the cancer therapy can mitigate these problems and may be just as effective as the standard treatment schedule. According to study results published in the March 1st issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients with advanced lung cancer receiving three 21-day courses of chemotherapy survived about as long as patients who received the standard six 21-day courses. The patients receiving three courses of treatment reported a better quality of life overall including significantly less fatigue. They also reported less nausea and vomiting than patients undergoing six courses of therapy, the researchers note. The study is among the first to show that there is no major benefit to a longer course of chemotherapy with the drugs mitomycin, vinblastine and cisplatin (MVP), and challenges the standard practice for treating tumors. However, the study authors note that their results do not necessarily apply to other drug combinations. ``Further trials are required to address this question,'' according to Dr. Ian Smith of the Royal Marsden NHS Trust and colleagues. Fewer than one third of patients (31%) set to receive six courses of MVP chemotherapy actually finished their treatment compared with 73% of those on the shorter schedule, the researchers note. The majority of patients stopped therapy due to a recurrence of cancer although some cited overwhelming fatigue. Patients on three courses survived about 6 months compared with 7 months for patients on six courses. After one year, 22% of patients on the shorter treatment schedule were alive, compared with 25% of patients on the longer schedule. ``Our findings show no evidence for additional clinical benefit by continuing MVP chemotherapy beyond three courses,'' the study concludes. SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology 2001;19:1336-1343. Thanks to Reuters Health and cancerpage.com JNCI, 3/03 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.