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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|.
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Chemotherapy| is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It’s a common treatment for secondary cancer in the liver.
The drugs used will depend on where the primary cancer started in your body. For example, if you have cancer of the breast that has spread to the liver, you’ll receive chemotherapy designed to treat secondary breast cancer.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to completely cure a secondary liver cancer with chemotherapy. However, it may slow or stop the growth of the cancer, and may shrink it to reduce symptoms|.
Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink secondary liver tumours so they can be removed by surgery|, and it’s sometimes used after surgery to stop the cancer coming back.
Chemotherapy drugs are sometimes given as tablets or, more usually, by injection into a vein (intravenously). Intravenous chemotherapy is usually given in the hospital outpatient department, but you may need to spend a few days in hospital.
Chemotherapy is commonly given as cycles of treatment. Each cycle involves having the chemotherapy drugs for a few days, followed by a rest period of two or three weeks to allow your body to recover from any side effects of the treatment. The number of cycles you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and how well it’s responding to the treatment.
Very occasionally, chemotherapy may be given into the hepatic artery, which is the artery that takes blood to the liver. This is known as hepatic artery chemotherapy. It allows the drugs to be delivered directly to the liver tumour. This is a very specialised technique which is not generally available.
Another technique for giving chemotherapy, is known as hepatic artery chemoembolisation|.
Our section on chemotherapy| discusses this treatment and its side effects in more detail. We also have information about individual chemotherapy drugs| and their particular side effects.
Chemotherapy can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects, but it can also make you feel better by relieving the symptoms of your cancer. Any side effects that occur can often be well controlled with medicines. The main side effects are described here, along with some ways they can be avoided or reduced.
Chemotherapy can reduce the amount of white blood cells produced by the bone marrow, making you more prone to infection|. This effect can begin about seven days after treatment and your resistance to infection usually reaches its lowest point 10-14 days after chemotherapy. Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually have returned to normal before your next course of chemotherapy is due.
Contact your doctor or the hospital straight away if:
You’ll have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to make sure that your cells have recovered. If necessary, you may be given antibiotics to treat any infection. Occasionally it may be necessary to delay your treatment if your blood count is still low.
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, or bleeding gums.
While having chemotherapy you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired| and breathless|.
Some of the drugs used to treat secondary liver cancer may make you feel sick (nauseous) and possibly be sick (vomit). There are very effective anti-sickness drugs (anti-emetics) to prevent or greatly reduce nausea and vomiting|. Your doctor can prescribe these for you.
Chemotherapy drugs can make your mouth sore|, so regular mouthwashes are important; your nurse will show you how to use these. If you don’t feel like eating at all during your treatment, you can replace some meals with nutritious drinks| or a soft diet. It might be helpful to speak to the hospital dietitian.
You may find that food tastes different or everything tastes metallic. If you don’t feel like eating during treatment, you could try replacing some meals with nutritious drinks or a soft diet. Your sense of taste will gradually go back to normal once the treatment has ended. Our section on diet and cancer| has some useful tips on coping with eating problems.
This is another common side effect of some - but not all - chemotherapy drugs. Your doctor can tell you if the drugs you’re taking are likely to make your hair fall out|. You can cover up by wearing wigs, hats or scarves. You may be entitled to a free wig from the NHS. You can discuss this with your doctor or nurse at the hospital. If your hair does fall out, it will almost always grow back 3-6 months after your treatment ends.
A few of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat secondary liver cancer can damage nerve endings. This is known as peripheral neuropathy|. It may result in feelings of numbness or tingling, especially in the hands, feet, neck or throat. For some people, these symptoms can be triggered by anything cold, such as iced drinks and cold air.
If you develop any of these symptoms, it’s important to report them to your doctor as they may be controlled by slightly lowering the dose of the drug. Your doctor can let you know if your chemotherapy drug may cause peripheral neuropathy.
Chemotherapy affects people in different ways. Some are able to lead a fairly normal life during their treatment, while others find they become very tired| and have to take things more slowly. Just do as much as you feel like and try not to overdo it. For some people, the fatigue continues for some time after their treatment has ended.
Although they may be hard to bear at the time, these side effects will begin to disappear once your treatment is over.
It’s not a good idea to become pregnant or father a child while taking chemotherapy drugs, as they may harm an unborn baby (foetus). It’s important to use effective contraception during your treatment and for some months afterwards. You can discuss this with your doctor or specialist nurse.
People having chemotherapy should use condoms for a few days after chemotherapy treatment. This is to protect your partner from any of the drug that may be present in semen or vaginal fluid.
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.