Salvage Chemotherapy Treatment

There are different types of chemotherapy treatments for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia medication such as adjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, induction chemotherapy and other various chemotherapies. Chemotherapy treatments are highly effective due to the introduction of new and less toxic drugs and new methods of treatment to get control on cancer. Different chemotherapy techniques are useful in giving reliable results, but there are chances of re occurrence of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. So another option of treatment is salvage chemotherapy to control the development of various cancers.

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia can be cured with salvage chemotherapy. The main aim of this chemotherapy is to attack the cancer. The definition of salvage chemotherapy depends on the viewpoint of different doctors. So it is vital for the patient to know from the doctor exactly what salvage chemotherapy is? Before salvage chemotherapy both the doctor and the patient should consider all possible treatments available and the goals of the treatment.

Salvage chemotherapy is a drug treatment when a patient is not able to respond to any other therapies given to him. When Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia reoccurs, usually salvage chemotherapy is preferable. The patient may be treated solely with salvage chemotherapy or may be offered other therapies along with salvage chemotherapy. For example, a patient having lymphoma is given salvage chemotherapy drug treatment for the preparation of a transplant with a combination of chemotherapy to abolish the patient's existing cancer and stem cell, giving the patient a new clean atmosphere for the transplant.

To cure Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia with salvage chemotherapy, Cisplatin and Cytarabine drugs are combined in extremely heavy doses. Drugs are applied directly to the veins either through injection or a drip. Dexamethasone dose is also given with this therapy. Patient may become ill with this salvage chemotherapy with side effects depending on how each individual patient reacts.

Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Treatment

Before applying salvage chemotherapy, some factors should be considered which are as follows:

Patient fails to respond to other available therapies.
Patient has extremely poor prognosis.
Treatment may not result in 100% accuracy but one can expect the curing of the cancer or to make the patient more comfortable which can provide a better quality of life.
Due to different physical conditions, goals of treatment, achievements of treatment, stage of cancer and patient’s preference, salvage therapy may not produce desired result.

Though salvage therapy is effective, high risk factor is associated with it. It may lead to the death of a patient or many other side effects such as hair falling out, vomiting, nausea and many more. These side effects may last for a month, a few months or for years.

As salvage chemotherapy is highly associated with risk factor, doctor should be very careful before applying it on a patient. The patient should undergo some tests to confirm that the patient is capable enough of going through salvage chemotherapy. It is a very valuable method to protect the organ and immune system of the patient. Doctor must be careful that the patient gets proper nutrition as well during salvage chemotherapy. Though as a chance to cure Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, salvage chemotherapy is a reasonable option for patients with certain advantages, but it is rarely performed by doctors due to the high risk factors associated. With salvage chemotherapy, the quality life of patient becomes good and growth of cancerous cell can be reduced making it well worth trying.