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This information is about a chemotherapy| treatment called GemCarbo, which is used to treat several different types of cancer|. It is most commonly used to treat lung| and bladder| cancer.
GemCarbo is named after the chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment, which are:
GemCarbo chemotherapy is usually given to you as a day patient. Before you start treatment, you'll need to have a blood test on the same day or a few days beforehand. You'll be seen by a doctor, specialist nurse or pharmacist. You'll also have tests to check how well your kidneys are working as the chemotherapy can affect them. These may include collecting your urine for 24 hours, or having a specific blood test known as an EDTA test. If the results of your tests are normal, the pharmacy will prepare your chemotherapy drugs. All of this may take several hours.
The nurse will put a thin, flexible tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm or hand. 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 is inserted under the skin and into a vein near the collarbone (central line|), or through a vein in the crook of their arm (PICC line|). Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this to you.
Before the chemotherapy, you'll be given some anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs. These are usually given by injection through the cannula, which is connected to a drip (infusion), but some anti-sickness drugs can also be taken 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 the next cycle of your chemotherapy. You'll be shown how to look after the line.
You'll be given a supply of anti-sickness tablets| to take home with you. It's important to take these as directed even if you aren't feeling sick, as some anti-sickness drugs are much better at preventing sickness than stopping it once it has started.
Your doctor may use the word 'regimen' (eg the GemCarbo regimen) when talking about your chemotherapy. This refers to the whole plan or schedule of your particular treatment.
On the first day of your treatment you'll have both the gemcitabine and carboplatin, as described. On the same day of the following week (day 8), you'll have an infusion of gemcitabine only. You'll then have a rest period of two weeks. This completes a cycle of your chemotherapy. Each cycle lasts for 21 days (three weeks).
You'll start the next cycle of your treatment after the rest period, which will be three weeks after your first infusions. Usually 4-6 cycles of treatment are given over a period of 3-4 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 below won't affect everyone who is having GemCarbo chemotherapy.
We have outlined the most common side effects but haven't included those that are rare and unlikely to affect you. If you notice any effects that aren't listed below, discuss them with your doctor, chemotherapy nurse or pharmacist.
GemCarbo can reduce the number of white blood cells, which help fight infection|. White blood cells are produced by the bone marrow. If the number of your white blood cells is low you'll be more prone to infections. A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia.
Neutropenia begins seven days after treatment, and your resistance to infection is usually at its lowest 10-14 days after chemotherapy. The number of your white blood cells will then increase steadily and usually return to normal before your next cycle of chemotherapy is due.
You'll have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to check the number of white blood cells. Occasionally, your treatment may need to be delayed if the number of your blood cells (blood count) is still low.
GemCarbo 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 may need to have a platelet transfusion| if your platelet count is low.
GemCarbo 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 and 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.
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|.
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 some gentle exercise, such as short walks, which will help. If tiredness is making you feel sleepy, don’t drive or operate machinery.
Treatment with gemcitabine may cause changes in the way your liver| works, although it will return to normal when the treatment finishes. You're very unlikely to notice any problems, but your doctor will take regular blood samples to check your liver is working properly.
Gemcitabine can cause a rash or dry skin, which may be itchy. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help with this.
Occasionally, flu-like symptoms may occur. You may have headaches, a high temperature, aching joints and muscles. It's important to let your doctor know immediately if you get a high temperature.
This may cause swelling of the ankles or breathlessness. Let your doctor know if you notice either of these effects.
Your mouth may become sore| 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 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.
GemCarbo can cause diarrhoea|. This can usually be easily controlled with medicine, but tell your doctor if it's severe or continues. It's important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea.
This is rare with this treatment, but your hair may become thinner. If you lose any hair it will grow back once the treatment has finished. Your nurse can give you advice about coping with hair loss|.
This doesn't usually cause any symptoms and the effect is generally mild. However, if the effect is severe, the kidneys can be permanently damaged unless the treatment is stopped. For this reason your kidneys will be checked by a blood test before each treatment.
If necessary, you may be given medicine to help you pass urine. You may be asked to drink extra fluid before and after treatment. It’s important to do this, so let your doctor know if this is a problem - for example, if you're feeling sick.
Rarely, gemcitabine can cause temporary narrowing of the airways, which can make you feel breathless|. Let your hospital doctor if this is a problem.
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'll 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.
Gemcitabine may cause drowsiness. Take care if you're driving or operating machinery following the treatment.
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're having chemotherapy. Tell your doctor about any medicines you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs, complementary therapies| and herbal drugs|.
Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by 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 having GemCarbo, as it may harm the developing baby. It's important to use effective contraception while taking these drugs and for at least a few months afterwards. You can discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
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.
Because of the effect of chemotherapy on the ovaries, women may find that their periods become irregular and 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.
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're 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 GemCarbo 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