Experts explain that preventative chemotherapy might mean adjuvant chemotherapy, which helps kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery or radiotherapy.
Princess Kate Middleton shared in a video message from Kensington Palace that after her abdominal surgery in London, tests revealed she had cancer. Her medical team recommended preventative chemotherapy, which she began in the early stages of treatment. She didn’t specify the type of cancer she has.
Kate Middleton:-“I had a successful surgery, but tests afterward showed that cancer was there. So, my doctors suggested I have preventative chemotherapy, and I’m just starting that treatment,” .
Kate Middleton:-Experts say preventative chemotherapy might not be a medical term, but it could mean using adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery or radiotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Kate Middleton:-What does chemotherapy mean?
Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It’s often used to treat different kinds of cancer and can be used by itself or with other treatments like surgery or radiation.
Doctors use different types of chemotherapy based on what a patient needs. Neo-adjuvant therapy is given before surgery or radiation to make the tumor smaller. Peri-operative therapy is given before and after surgery. Palliative chemotherapy is used to ease symptoms if cancer has spread.
Kate Middleton :-What is adjuvant chemotherapy?
Dr. Rajat Bajaj, Director of Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital in Noida, explains that adjuvant chemotherapy is used after the main treatment, like surgery or radiation therapy, to kill any remaining cancer cells. Its main goal is to reduce the risk of cancer coming back by targeting hidden cancer cells, improving the chances of long-term recovery and possibly curing the disease.
Dr. Sunny Jain, Head of Oncology at Marengo Asia Hospitals in Faridabad, explains that after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, there’s a risk of it coming back, so doctors may recommend post-operative chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy. This involves giving chemotherapy drugs to the patient after surgery. Adjuvant therapy is commonly used for colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. Dr. Jain points out that there’s no term like “preventive chemotherapy,” and what Kate Middleton might mean is chemotherapy to prevent cancer from coming back, which is essentially adjuvant chemotherapy.
Dr. Jain explains that adjuvant chemotherapy offers long-term benefits by reducing the chances of cancer coming back or increasing survival rates. This treatment is recommended for cancers with a high risk of recurrence or if lymph nodes are involved, suggesting the cancer might have spread. Adjuvant therapy includes chemotherapy, immune therapy, hormone therapy, and other treatments.
Kate Middleton:-What is palliative chemotherapy?
“Palliative chemotherapy is used when cancer has reached a stage where it cannot be cured. It’s aimed at managing symptoms, improving the patient’s quality of life, and slowing down the progression of the disease. This treatment helps with pain, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms related to cancer, focusing on the patient’s comfort and well-being during the advanced stages of the illness,” explains Dr. Bajaj.
“Adjuvant chemotherapy is given in the early stages of cancer to prevent it from coming back. It’s strong and aggressive. Palliative chemotherapy, however, is for advanced cancer and aims to relieve symptoms.”
“Adjuvant chemotherapy is usually given in early-stage cancer to aggressively prevent cancer cells from coming back. It may have stronger side effects due to higher doses and longer treatment times. Palliative chemotherapy, used in advanced cancer, focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, but it may not control the cancer as effectively,” explains Dr. Bajaj.
“Adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy each have their pros and cons. Adjuvant chemo can help control cancer for a long time, but it can cause strong side effects due to its aggressive approach. On the other hand, palliative chemo aims to relieve symptoms and improve life quality, but it may not stop advanced cancer from spreading as effectively,” explains the expert.
Dr. Bajaj explains that choosing between adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy depends on factors like the cancer’s stage and type, the patient’s health, treatment goals, and the benefits and risks involved.
“A team of doctors, nurses, and specialists in palliative care work together to decide on treatments, providing personalized care that meets each patient’s needs. By working together, patients get the best support and treatment, improving their experience and outcomes when dealing with cancer,” the expert concludes.