Chemotherapy for womb cancer

In some people, chemotherapy may help to shrink the cancer and relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used to treat womb cancer are:

• carboplatin
• cisplatin
• doxorubicin
• paclitaxel (Taxol).

You may be given just one chemotherapy drug or a combination| of two or three. Your doctor or specialist nurse will explain more about the chemotherapy treatment to you.

How chemotherapy is given

The chemotherapy drugs are given by injection into a vein (intravenously). The drugs may be given through a thin, flexible tube inserted into a vein in the back of your hand (cannula); a plastic line called a central line| in your chest; or a thin tube inserted into a vein in the crook of your arm (PICC line|). The chemotherapy is usually given as an outpatient.

Chemotherapy is usually given as a session of treatment. After each session you’ll usually have a rest period of a few weeks before the next session. This allows your body to recover from the side effects. The chemotherapy session and the rest period make up a cycle of treatment. Your specialist will discuss this with you. The number of cycles you have will depend on how well the cancer is responding to the drugs.

Side effects

Chemotherapy can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects, but if your cancer is causing symptoms it can also make you feel better by relieving them. Most people have some side effects. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects as they can usually be well controlled with medicines.

Common side effects are described here, along with some ways of reducing them. Although they may be hard to bear at the time, these side effects gradually disappear once your treatment is over, although for some people this can take some months.

Lowered resistance to infection (neutropenia)

While the drugs are acting on the cancer cells in your body, they may also temporarily reduce the number of normal white blood cells. This is called neutropenia. When these cells are reduced you are more likely to get an infection|. While your level of white blood cells is low, it’s important to avoid crowded places where you may come into contact with infection, and to avoid anyone who already has an infection, such as a cold or flu.

Contact your doctor or the hospital straight away if you have any signs of infection, such as a high temperature (above 38°C or 100.4°F), or if you suddenly feel unwell (even with a normal temperature). During chemotherapy your blood will be tested regularly and, if necessary, you will be given antibiotics to treat any infection.

Bruising or bleeding

Chemotherapy can reduce the production of platelets (which help the blood to clot and stop bleeding). 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.

Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)

While having treatment with chemotherapy you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired and breathless.

Tiredness

You’re likely to find that you become very tired and have to take things much more slowly. Just do as much as you feel like and try not to overdo it. We have information on coping with fatigue|, which you might find useful.

Feeling sick

Some of the drugs may make you feel sick (nauseated) and possibly be sick (vomit). There are anti-sickness drugs (antiemetics) to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting|. Your doctor will prescribe these for you. Let your doctor or nurse know if your anti-sickness drugs are not helping, as there are several different types you can take.

Sore mouth

You may find that you get a sore mouth| and mouth ulcers while having chemotherapy. Keeping your mouth clean with regular mouthwashes is important. Your nurse will show you how to use these properly. If a sore mouth makes eating difficult, you can try replacing meals with nutritious drinks.

Hair loss

Ask your doctor if the drugs you are taking are likely to make your hair fall out|. Most drugs used to treat womb cancer do not, but some may make your hair thin. If your hair does fall out, it will start to grow back again once your treatment is over.

Allergic reaction

Occasionally, women may have an allergic reaction to a chemotherapy drug, which can be very frightening. Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering, redness of the face, dizziness, headache, breathlessness or anxiety and a need to pass urine. Treatment can be given to reduce allergic reactions.

Although these side effects may be hard to bear at the time, they disappear once your treatment is over.

Some people do not have many side effects. Your doctor will tell you what problems to expect from your treatment.

Our section on Understanding chemotherapy| discusses the treatment and its side effects in more detail. We also have information about individual drugs| and their particular side effects.