What is consolidation chemotherapy?
Also known as intensification therapy, consolidation chemotherapy is a type of ongoing treatment that is provided to patients with cancer who seem to be in remission. The aim of this type of cancer therapy is to kill all residual cancer cells that may be present and effectively increase the potential of complete recovery. The dose of chemotherapy is usually somewhat high, allowing treatment to be highly effective.
Consolidation therapy is used with many different forms of cancer. A series of treatment can be used in patients who have achieved remission of ovarian cancer, leukemia or almost any other forms of disease. In some therapeutic processes, such as the treatment of acute leukemia, consolidation chemotherapy is to monitor induction therapy, which is given in an effort to kill cancer cells. If induction therapy turns out to be successful and the patient reacts favorably, then consolidation is initiated in Hopes to help the patient remain in a state of remission. By administering treatment it is sometimes possible to save the remaining ovaries,This allows the woman the opportunity to carry children at a certain future point.
Not every patient with cancer is a candidate for consolidation chemotherapy. The primary qualification is the measurable presence of remission with the form of cancer experienced by the patient. Until health workers confirm remission, other types of cancer treatment continue to reduce the condition under control. This includes the use of radiation, lower doses of chemotherapy and even surgery. In addition, the attending physician must also find that the patient is strong enough to handle the strict course of treatment that is involved in consolidation chemotherapy. Depending on the patient's general comfort, the treatment series may be relatively short or takes place for several weeks before it is considered complete.
As with any series of chemotherapy, the patient undergoing treatment is likely to experience some side effects. Many patients report bouts of fatigue,Loss of hair and change the ability to taste food and drink. Some also present the appearance of symptoms of similar flu, including clogged nose, sneezing and coughing. These side effects are often controlled by drugs and eventually disappears after completion of the treatment series.