that chemotherapy can get rid of cancer in a few weeks? What's the shortest length of time it would take?
2007-01-14 13:07:54 · 11 answers · asked by Liz 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Depending on the type of cancer ( a 1 or 2cm nodule) and its location, it is possible for the cancer to be gone after the first round of chemotherapy. My son was stage IV and responded after the first chemo cycle. His tumors shrunk, he had two surgeries and more chemo but still had a few stubborn spots on his lungs. They changed chemo protocols and within a month the tumors on the lungs were gone.
The reason that chemo continues after the tumors are gone is to take care of any residual or microscopic cells that may have lodged or are floating around in the blood stream somewhere.
2007-01-14 13:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by Panda 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
All it takes is one cancer cell floating around in the blood stream or hiding in a lymph node, etc. to take up residence somewhere in the body and there is no way to tell if chemo got rid of them all 100%..... except for time.
Cancer cells can travel through the blood stream anytime unless they are in a "contained" tumor which could take longer. Doctors have a 5 yr. follow-up with their patients who have undergone chemo and don't generally give them a "clean bill of health" until at least that length of time or longer.
If doctors see no cancer cells in the blood weeks, months later they would be foolish to think the patient was disease free. That is why they continue following up with their patients.
There are no guarantees in life or that cancer will not return but I would say anywhere from 5 years cancer free would be cause for a celebration.
2007-01-22 11:13:17 · answer #2 · answered by Incognito 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, radiation takes a few weeks, and surgery with followup takes about a month to make sure they "got it all".
Usually followed up by chemo and there are mainly 2 types depending on the cancer.
CT scan shows - cancer area
PET scan shows where cancer metasticized into other areas.
My previous friend just had 3 weeks of full brain radiation.
Now the friend wants to hibernate and says there's no need to support the friendship. I guess that's how he was raised, but it seems a lonely way to "make peace"?!
I'm being blamed because I sent him for the x-ray, when I did not think it was pneumonia.
Many of the brain tumors shrunk.
They are waiting 3 months until they see if things are in remission, or if chemo is needed.
Brain tumors seem to come back often, and many other cancers are just as stubborn.
GOD bless us one and all, always.
2007-01-14 13:20:20 · answer #3 · answered by May I help You? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's not true because my step- aunt had cancer and it took her about four hours to do sugrey to get rid of a tumor and it took about a year and a half to recover and she had to do a lot of chemos but she got rid of the cnacer in meantime :D
2007-01-14 13:25:46 · answer #4 · answered by confuzed_smiles 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Afraid not. Cancer is stubborn, that's why the treatments take so long. Of course there's surgery, if that's an option. Either way, there's anxiety and suffering involved.
2007-01-14 13:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it depends on the type of cancer you have and also how far gone your cancer is. if the cancer is still small it can be gotten rid of in a few hours. if it's large, it can take years, or even be impossible
2007-01-14 13:16:24 · answer #6 · answered by heartbroken 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
anything is possible, But I would take the entire round of chemo to be sure
2007-01-22 09:33:54 · answer #7 · answered by zarem 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion radiotherapy works but the chemotherapy not so much.
2007-01-14 13:22:58 · answer #8 · answered by Suzan K 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
People have recovered from cancer in a few weeks without any kemo. ;)
2007-01-14 13:16:01 · answer #9 · answered by ninjamasterdave 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
cat scans about a few months
2007-01-14 13:10:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋