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This information is about a chemotherapy| treatment for advanced cancer of the stomach| or oesophagus (gullet|) called ELF.
ELF is named after the initials of the chemotherapy drugs used, which are:
ELF chemotherapy can usually be given to you as an outpatient. Before you start treatment you will need to 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|. This may take a couple of hours.
The nurse will put a thin, flexible tube (cannula) into a vein in your hand or arm. You may find this uncomfortable or a little painful, but it shouldn't take long. Some people have their chemotherapy given through a thin, plastic tube that's inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone (central line|) or passed through a vein in the crook of their arm (PICC line|). Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this to you.
You'll be given some anti-sickness (anti-emetic)| drugs. These are usually given by injection through the cannula, central line or PICC line, which is connected to a drip (infusion). Some anti-sickness medicines are given as tablets.
The chemotherapy drugs are then given separately:
If you're having your treatment as a day patient you can then go home, and the cannula will be removed before you go. If you have a central or PICC line it will usually stay in place, ready for your next cycle of chemotherapy. You will be shown how to look after the line.
You will be given a supply of anti-sickness drugs to take home with you. It's important to take these as directed even if you aren't feeling sick. This is because some anti-sickness drugs are much better at preventing sickness than at stopping it once it starts.
Your doctor may use the word ‘regimen|’ (eg the ELF regimen) when talking about your chemotherapy. This means the whole plan or schedule of your particular chemotherapy treatment. The following is a description of a commonly-used schedule for giving ELF.
On the first day of your treatment, you will be given all three drugs (etoposide, leucovorin and 5FU) as described.
On the second and third days, all three drugs are repeated.
After this you will have a rest period with no chemotherapy for 25 days. This completes a cycle of your treatment. Each cycle takes 28 days (four weeks).
Following the rest period, the same drugs will be given to you again, beginning the next cycle of your treatment. Usually six cycles of treatment are given over six months. This makes up a course of treatment.
Each person’s reaction to chemotherapy is different. Some people have very few side effects, while others may experience more. The side effects described here won't affect everyone having ELF chemotherapy.
We have outlined the most common side effects but haven't included those that are rare and therefore unlikely to affect you.
If you do notice any effects that aren't listed here, discuss them with your doctor, chemotherapy nurse or pharmacist.
ELF chemotherapy can reduce the number of white blood cells, which help to fight infection. White blood cells are produced by the bone marrow|. If the number of your white blood cells is low you will be more prone to infections|. A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia.
Your resistance to infection will reach its lowest point around 10–14 days after you start chemotherapy. The number of white cells in your blood will then increase gradually, with levels usually returning to normal before your next treatment is due.
You'll have a blood test before having more ELF chemotherapy, to check the number of white cells in your blood. Occasionally, it may be necessary to delay your treatment if the number of blood cells (blood count) is still low.
ELF chemotherapy can reduce the production of platelets, which help the blood to clot. Tell your doctor if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood spots or rashes on the skin. You can have a platelet transfusion| if your platelet count is low.
ELF chemotherapy can reduce the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. A low red blood cell count is called anaemia. This may make you feel tired and breathless|.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have these symptoms. You may need to have a blood transfusion| if the number of red blood cells becomes too low.
Your doctor can prescribe very effective anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs to prevent, or greatly reduce, nausea or vomiting. If the sickness isn't controlled, or if it continues, tell your doctor; they can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs that may be more effective.
Some anti-sickness drugs can cause constipation|. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.
Feeling tired| is a common side effect of chemotherapy especially towards the end of treatment and for some weeks after it’s over. It’s important to try to pace yourself and get as much rest as you need. Try to balance this with doing some gentle exercise, such as short walks, which will help. If tiredness is making you feel sleepy, don’t drive or operate machinery.
Your mouth may become sore or dry| or dry, or you may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids, and cleaning your teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush, can help to reduce the risk of this happening. Some people may find sucking on ice soothing. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have any of these problems, as they can prescribe mouthwashes and medicine to prevent or clear mouth infections.
You may notice that food tastes different|. Normal taste usually comes back after treatment finishes. A dietitian or specialist nurse at your hospital can give you advice about ways of coping with this side effect.
Some people lose their appetite| while they’re having chemotherapy. This can be mild and may only last a few days. If it doesn’t improve you can ask to see a dietitian or specialist nurse at your hospital. They can give you advice on improving your appetite and keeping to a healthy weight|.
This usually starts 3–4 weeks after starting treatment, although it may occur earlier. Hair usually falls out completely. You may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair|. This is temporary and your hair will start to grow again once the treatment has finished. Your hair may grow back straighter, curlier, finer, or a slightly different colour than it was before. Your nurse can give you advice about coping with hair loss|.
You may get constipated. This can usually be helped by drinking plenty of fluids, eating more fibre and doing some exercise. You may need to take medicine to help (laxatives). Your doctor can prescribe these or you can buy them at a pharmacy.
ELF chemotherapy can cause diarrhoea|. This can usually be easily controlled with medicine but tell your doctor if it is severe or continues. It's important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea.
This is sometimes known as palmar plantar or hand-foot syndrome. It can happen when 5FU is given. It is usually temporary and improves when the treatment is finished.
Your doctor may prescribe creams or a vitamin called pyridoxine (vitamin B6), which some people find helpful. It can also help to keep your hands and feet cool and to avoid tight-fitting clothing, such as socks, shoes and gloves.
Etoposide can cause a rash, which may be itchy. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help with this. Your skin may darken due to excess production of pigment. It usually returns to normal a few months after the treatment has finished.
During treatment with 5FU, and for several months afterwards, you will be more sensitive to the sun, and your skin may burn more easily than normal. You can still go out in the sun, but should wear a suncream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) and cover up with clothing and a hat.
Signs of an allergic reaction include skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering, reddening of the face, dizziness, a headache, breathlessness, anxiety, and a feeling that you want to pass urine. You will be monitored for any signs of an allergic reaction during the treatment. Tell your doctor or nurse about any side effects you have.
It’s important to let your doctor know straight away if you feel unwell or have any severe side effects, even if they’re not mentioned above.
Cancer can increase the risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis), and chemotherapy may increase this risk further.
A blood clot may cause symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in a leg, or breathlessness and chest pain. Blood clots can be very serious so it’s important to tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of these symptoms. Most clots can be treated with drugs that thin the blood. The doctor or nurse can give you more information.
Some medicines, including those you can buy in a shop or chemist, can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, complementary therapies| and herbal drugs|.
Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by having this treatment. It's important to discuss fertility| with your doctor before starting treatment.
It's not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking ELF chemotherapy, as it may harm the developing baby. It’s important to use effective contraception while taking this drug, and for at least a few months afterwards. You can discuss this with your doctor.
It’s not known whether chemotherapy drugs can be present in semen or vaginal fluids. To protect your partner it’s safest to either avoid sex or use a barrier form of contraception for about 48 hours after chemotherapy.
Due to the effect of chemotherapy on the ovaries, women may find that their periods become irregular and they may eventually stop.
In some women this may be temporary, but for others it will be permanent. This will result in menopausal symptoms| such as hot flushes, sweats and vaginal dryness.
There's a risk that chemotherapy drugs may be present in breast milk so women are advised not to breastfeed during chemotherapy and for a few months afterwards.
Very rarely, etoposide may cause a second cancer, usually a type of acute leukaemia, to develop years later. Your nurse or doctor can discuss this with you.
If you’re admitted to hospital for a reason not related to the cancer, it’s important to tell the doctors and nurses looking after you that you are having chemotherapy treatment. You should tell them the name of your cancer specialist so that they can ask for advice.
It’s a good idea to know who you should contact if you have any problems or troublesome side effects when you’re at home. Your chemotherapy nurse or doctor will give you details of who to contact for advice. This should include ‘out-of hours’ contact details if you need to call someone at evenings, overnight or at the weekend.
This section is based upon our ELF chemotherapy fact sheet, which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources including:
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Watch our slideshow with tips for coping with a poor appetite
Watch our slideshow with tips for coping with a sore mouth
Watch our video about coping with fatigue
Watch our slideshow about avoiding infection when you have reduced immunity