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How Long Does Chemo Drugs Take To Destroy Cancer Cells?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Question: My sister started chemotherapy for her stage 4 cancer a week ago, and she's already feeling much better than before chemo(first few days she was having horrible pain and nausea). She feel really good, less fatigued than before chemo. No pain, as opposed to the pain in her torso before chemo. The questions I wanted to ask:

Does this mean that chemo is working?
IF a treatment is working, how long does it usually take for the chemo drugs to shrink cancer tumors, etc?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Shrinkage of cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

It is possible that the cancer chemo is working and shrinkage starts occurring almost immediately after chemo however I will need a few more details in order to help you

1. What cancer is she suffering from
2. what chemotherapy was given

Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (24 minutes later)

Thanks for the reply. It's cancer in the lung, NOS

Chemo is Paclitaxel and Carboplatin injection

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible to shrink

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

It is possible that there is remission in cancer based on the improvement in symptoms that she is having however to know for sure MRI of the chest needs to be done

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar