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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more| .
How we produce our information|
This information is about a chemotherapy| treatment called docetaxel (commonly known as Taxotere®) and carboplatin, which can be used to treat cancer of the lung. This information describes the drugs, how they are given and some of the possible side effects. If you have any questions you can ask your doctor or nurse at the hospital where you are having your treatment, or speak to one of our cancer support specialists|.
The treatment involves the two drugs:
Your chemotherapy treatment will normally be given to you as a day patient, or occasionally you may need to stay in hospital overnight. Before you start treatment you will have a blood test, either on the same day or a few days beforehand. You will also be seen by a doctor, specialist nurse or pharmacist. If the results of your blood test are normal, the pharmacy will prepare your chemotherapy drugs. All of this may take a couple of hours.
The nurse will then put a thin tube (cannula) into a vein in your hand or arm. You may find this uncomfortable or a little painful, but it should not take long. Some people have their chemotherapy given through a thin plastic tube which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone (central line|), or passed through a vein in their arm (PICC line|). Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this to you.
You will be given anti-sickness (anti-emetic)| drugs, usually by injection through the cannula, central line or PICC line. Some anti-sickness drugs can be given as tablets.
Drugs called steroids| will be given to you to take the day before you have your chemotherapy. These help to reduce some of the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs and are also taken for two days after chemotherapy. It is very important to take these tablets. If for some reason you haven’t taken them, it’s important to let your doctor or nurse know before you start your chemotherapy.
You will be given Taxotere and carboplatin (both are colourless fluids) as a drip (infusion). They are given separately and usually take over an hour each.
If you are having your treatment as a day patient you can go home after you've been given the drugs. Your cannula will be removed and you will be given a supply of anti-sickness tablets to take with you, as well as the steroids. It is important to take your anti-sickness drugs regularly (as directed) even if you are not feeling sick. This is because it is easier to prevent sickness than to stop it once it has it has started.
Your doctor may use the word 'regimen' (eg the Taxotere and carboplatin regimen) when talking about your chemotherapy. This means the whole plan or schedule of the treatment that you are having.
You will be given Taxotere and carboplatin (as described) over one day only. After this you will have a rest period with no chemotherapy for the next three weeks. This completes what is called a cycle of your treatment.
After the rest period the same treatment is repeated, which begins the next cycle of your chemotherapy. Usually up to four cycles are given over a period of 3–4 months.
Each person's reaction to chemotherapy is different. Some people may have very few side effects, while others can experience more. The side effects described below will not affect everyone who is having treatment with Taxotere® and carboplatin.
We have outlined the most common side effects, so that you can be aware of them if they happen. However, we have not included those that are rare and therefore unlikely to affect you. If you notice any effects that you think may be due to the chemotherapy, but which are not listed here, please let your nurse or doctor know.
Lowered resistance to infection This treatment can reduce the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow, making you more prone to infection|. This effect can begin five days after treatment has been given, with your resistance to infection usually reaching its lowest point 7–10 days after chemotherapy. Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually have returned to normal levels before your next cycle of chemotherapy is due.
Contact your doctor or the hospital straightaway if:
You will have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to make sure that your cells have recovered. Occasionally, it may be necessary to delay your treatment if the number of blood cells (the blood count) is still low.
Bruising or bleeding Taxotere and carboplatin chemotherapy can reduce the production of platelets (which help the blood to clot). Let your doctor know if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood spots or rashes on the skin, and bleeding gums.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) You may become anaemic while having this treatment. This may make you feel tired| and breathless|. Let your doctor or nurse know if these symptoms are a problem.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) Your doctor can prescribe very effective anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs to prevent or reduce nausea and nausea and vomiting|. If the sickness is not controlled, or if it continues, tell your doctor. They can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs which may be more effective. Some anti-sickness drugs may cause constipation|. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.
Tiredness Many people feel extremely tired| during chemotherapy, particularly towards the end of treatment. This is a very common side effect and it is important to try to get as much rest as you need.
Hair loss This usually starts 3–4 weeks after the first course of treatment and is due to the Taxotere. All your hair will probably fall out. You may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair. Hair loss| is temporary and your hair will start to regrow once the treatment has finished. Scalp cooling| is a method of reducing hair loss that may be helpful for some people. You can ask your doctor or nurse if it is available at your hospital.
Sore mouth and ulcers Your mouth may become sore or dry|, or you may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have any of these problems, as they can give you mouthwashes or medicines to prevent or clear any mouth infection. Using a soft toothbrush may be helpful.
Taste changes You may notice that your food tastes different|. Normal taste will usually come back after the treatment finishes.
Diarrhoea This may occur several days after the treatment. Diarrhoea can usually be easily controlled with medicine. Try to drink as many as 2–3 litres of liquid a day to replace the fluid you are losing. Let your doctor know if diarrhoea| is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours.
Skin changes Taxotere can cause a rash. Your doctors can prescribe medicine to help with this.
Soreness and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (sometimes known as palmar plantar or hand-foot syndrome). This is temporary and will improve when treatment is finished. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help with this.
Allergic reaction Some people can have an allergic reaction to Taxotere while it is being given. Signs of this can include skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering, dizziness, a headache and breathlessness. You will be given steroids| to take at home the day before treatment to reduce the chance of this happening. It is important to take the steroids as you have been directed. Let your nurse or doctor know immediately if you have any of these symptoms. If you have an allergic reaction it can be treated quickly.
Fluid retention You may notice that you gain weight and/or that your ankles swell. This decreases slowly once your treatment has finished. The steroid tablets that you are given to take the day before treatment will help reduce the chance of fluid retention. They may also help to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet This is due to the effect of Taxotere on the nerves and is known as peripheral neuropathy|. You may also notice that you have difficulty doing up buttons or picking up small items. Tell your doctor if you notice any of those effects so that they can be monitored. This problem usually improves slowly over a few months after treatment is finished.
Changes in nails You may notice that your nails begin to crack. There can also be changes in the colour of the nails as well as pain in the nail bed (the base of the nail).
Aching joints and muscles Taxotere can cause some discomfort. It is important to let your doctor know about this, so they can prescribe mild painkillers to help.
If you notice any pain or burning around the vein while the drug is being given, or any leak of fluid from the cannula site, tell your doctor or nurse straightaway.
Other medicines Some other medicines can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. Always tell your doctor about any medicine that you are taking (including herbal or complementary drugs). Check with the pharmacist before buying any medicines over the counter.
Fertility Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by this treatment. It is important to discuss fertility| with your doctor before starting treatment.
Contraception It's not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking this treatment, as the developing foetus may be harmed. It's important to use effective contraception while taking these drugs, and for at least a few months afterwards. Again, discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
Loss of periods in women Due to the effect of chemotherapy on the ovaries you may find that your periods become irregular and may eventually stop. In some women this may be temporary, but for others it may be permanent. This will result in menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats and vaginal dryness.
This section based upon our Taxotere® and carboplatin chemotherapy factsheet which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources including:
For further references, please see general bibliography|.
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