Carboplatin & Gemcitabine, Non Small Cell Stage 4

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

My Dad has been taking Gemcitabine and Carboplatin, he had 4 treatments so far. We're waiting for the CAT scan results to see if the tumors shrunk any. My question is can either of the chemos affect the eyesight?

debbieNY · Regular Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 16

Your treatment
Your doctor has prescribed for you a treatment which includes the chemotherapy drugs Gemcitabine and Carboplatin.

* Week 1: Carboplatin is given via drip over 1 hour followed by:
o Gemcitabine also given via a drip over 30 minutes.
* Week 2: Gemcitabine via a drip over 30 minutes.
* Week 3: No treatment

The treatment is given for ?????. cycles.

Extravasation is when chemotherapy leaks outside the vein. If you develop redness, soreness or pain at the injection site at any time please let us know straightaway.

Common side effects
You may experience some of the following side effects during treatment. These are usually temporary. It is important to tell your hospital doctor about any side effects so they can be monitored and, where possible, treated.

Bone marrow suppression
Your bone marrow is where your blood cells are made (these are the red cells, white cells and platelets) to replace those naturally worn out within the body. Chemotherapy interferes with this process and the number of cells in your blood can become low. This means that following treatment you could become:

* Prone to infection:
Your white cells can become low, this is most common the week after treatment. You may develop a sore throat, cough, fever, shivering or other symptoms which may be due to infection. A normal temperature is between 36°C and 37°C. If your temperature is above 37.5°C, contact this hospital straightaway. Don't delay! Minor infections can become serious over a matter of hours.
* Anaemic:
If your red cells become low you may experience excessive tiredness, feel dizzy, breathless and/or look pale.
* Prone to bleeding:
If your platelets become low, you may get nose-bleeds, bruising or bleeding gums.

You will have a routine blood test before each treatment to monitor the effects of the chemotherapy, BUT please contact this hospital if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.

Nausea and vomiting (sickness)
The severity of this varies from person to person. Anti-sickness medication will be given along with your chemotherapy to prevent this. You will also be given anti-sickness tablets to take at home. If you continue to feel or be sick, contact your GP or this hospital, because your anti-sickness medication may need to be changed or increased.

Lethargy
Some chemotherapy may make you feel tired and lacking in energy. It can be frustrating when you feel unable to cope with routine tasks. If you do feel tired, take rest and get help with household chores. If necessary, take time off work. Gentle exercise such as walking can be beneficial.

Hair thinning
Some hair loss may occur during treatment. It is advisable to avoid perms, colours, use of hot brushes and vigorous, frequent washing that could increase hair loss. Please remember that this is a temporary side effect and your hair will grow back when your treatment is completed. If you would like an appointment with the wig lady, this can be arranged for you. Ask the staff the a copy of 'The Wig Fitting Service.'

Flu-like symptoms & headaches
Some chemotherapy may cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches and pains and shivering about 3 to 5 hours after it is given. These symptoms are temporary and should go within 12 to 24 hours. Paracetamol will help. If your symptoms are particularly severe, tell your doctor on your next visit.

Skin rash
You may develop a skin rash. This is usually mild and easily treated. Please tell your doctor on your next visit.

Upset bowels
You may get upset bowels with this chemotherapy:

* Diarrhoea.
If this becomes a problem while you are having treatment, anti-diarrhoea tablets can be prescribed by your GP for a temporary period until this is resolved. If the problem persists contact this hospital. Ask the staff for a copy of 'Eating: Help Yourself' which has useful ideas about diet when you are having treatment.
* Constipation.
This occasionally occurs in the long-term. Try to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fibre. Tell your doctor who may prescribe a suitable laxative.

Contraception & fertility
If you are fertile, you should use effective contraception while on chemotherapy. If you suspect that you may be pregnant please tell your doctor immediately. Chemotherapy may affect your ability to have children in the future ? please discuss this with your doctor or chemotherapy nurse.

It is safest to wear a condom during intercourse because this will protect you and your partner from any exposure to residues of chemotherapy drugs that may be present in semen and in the vagina.

Late effects
Some side effects may become evident only after a long time. However, your doctor can take action to avoid these for most patients, so the potential benefit you receive from treatment should outweigh the risks of serious long term side effects to the heart, lungs, kidneys and bone marrow. With some drugs there is also a small but definite risk of an increased chance of developing another cancer. If any of these problems specifically applies to you, the doctor will discuss these with you and note this on your consent form.

Hope this helps.
DebbieNY

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

Close, but it's the opposite, lol. My Dad gets Gemcitabine week one for about 45 minutes, week 2 is both. Thankfully the anti-nausea pill he takes works fantastic, no nasuea at all. He is tired the day after the double treatment, but usually better by the 3rd or 4th day.

debbieNY · Regular Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 16

close is good...... Laughing

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

Gemzar can cause serious trouble with renal function. (as can Carboplatin)

From the Gemzar web site:

[quote]Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and/or renal failure have been reported following one or more doses of GEMZAR. Renal failure leading to death or requiring dialysis, despite discontinuation of therapy, has been rarely reported. The majority of the cases of renal failure leading to death were due to HUS.[/quote]

Notice even one dose may cause this problem.

This happened to my wife.

Cancer

http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/supportive_treatment.aspx?id=23160

States that that kideny damage occurs in 30% of Gemzar patients and 10-29% of Carboplatin patients.

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

Thank you. I do know this, and the doctor is always giving him a blood test and CAT scans.

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

Make sure the blood test includes serum creatinine as well as CBC.

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

Thank you, I will ask if that's part of the blood work.

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

Nobody (including myself) has answered the original question on this thread.

I could find nothing about Gemzar concerning eyesight except that it can make the eyes yellow if the liver is affected.

Several sites state that carboplatin can affect eyesight, but that this is uncommon to rare.

My wife received both of these drugs as well as taxotere and suffered deteriorating eyesight as well as "spots" in her eyes and some blurriness.

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