BEP is repeated every
21 days
. This is known as one Cycle. Each cycle may be repeated up to four times, depending upon the stage of the disease and specific type of testicular cancer. Duration of therapy may last up to 4 months, depending upon response, tolerability, and number of cycles prescribed.
How successful is BEP chemo?
Patients reported nausea has been rare. It is concluded that BEP chemotherapy is a
highly effective treatment which secures complete remission or cure even in patients with advanced metastatic disease
. In retrospect the patients considered the treatment worthwhile despite the stress involved.
Is BEP chemo intense?
The findings of this study suggest that
the three-cycle, more-dose-intense BEP regimen is associated with superior long-term survival compared to the four-cycle, less-dose-intense regimen.
What is a BEP regimen?
An abbreviation for
a chemotherapy combination used to treat ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors
. It includes the drugs bleomycin sulfate, etoposide phosphate, and cisplatin (Platinol). Also called BEP.
What are the side effects of BEP chemotherapy?
- Risk of infection. This treatment can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood. …
- Bruising and bleeding. This treatment can reduce the number of platelets in your blood.
- Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) …
- Effects on the lungs. …
- Feeling sick. …
- Feeling tired. …
- Hair loss. …
- Sore mouth and throat.
Do you lose your hair with BEP?
You could lose all your hair
. This includes your eyelashes, eyebrows, underarm, leg and sometimes pubic hair. Your hair will usually grow back once treatment has finished but it is likely to be softer. It may grow back a different colour or be curlier than before.
Does BEP chemo cause infertility?
All five chemotherapeutic agents demonstrated a fertility risk in either animal or human studies (category D). For bleomycin, the fertility risk was based on a study evaluating the impact of the bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) regimen, which
caused azoospermia in 20% of patients at 36 months follow-up
(10).
How long does etoposide stay in your system?
Pharmacokinetics. On intravenous administration, the disposition of Etoposide is best described as a biphasic process with a
distribution half-life of about 1.5 hours and terminal elimination half-life ranging from 4 to 11 hours
.
What is RPLND surgery?
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, commonly referred to as RPLND, is
a procedure to remove abdominal lymph nodes to treat testicular cancer, as well as help establish its exact stage
. It is usually performed using an incision that extends from just below the breastbone (sternum) to just below the navel.
How many cycles of BEP are there?
BEP is repeated every 21 days. This is known as
one Cycle
. Each cycle may be repeated up to four times, depending upon the stage of the disease and specific type of testicular cancer. Duration of therapy may last up to 4 months, depending upon response, tolerability, and number of cycles prescribed.
Is cisplatin a strong chemo drug?
Presently, cisplatin is
one of the most powerful chemotherapeutic drugs
used for the treatment of ovarian cancer; even though resistance is typical [20]. In ovarian germ cell cancer, the use of cisplatin brings about high response rates [21].
What are the side effects of etoposide?
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- sores in the mouth and throat.
- stomach pain.
- diarrhea.
- constipation.
- loss of appetite or weight.
- unusual tiredness or weakness.
What are the side effects of bleomycin?
- redness, blistering, tenderness, or thickening of the skin.
- darkened skin color.
- rash.
- hair loss.
- sores on the mouth or tongue.
- vomiting.
- loss of appetite.
- weight loss.
What are the side effects of cisplatin?
- Black, tarry stools.
- blood in urine or stools.
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations.
- change in frequency of urination or amount of urine.
- cough or hoarseness.
- difficulty in breathing.
- feeling of fullness in the ears.
- fever or chills.
Can bleomycin cause infertility?
The doxorubicin-bleomycin-vinblastine-dacarbazine regimen is associated with a lower risk of gonadal damage;
the rate of infertility is less than 10%
. The risk of premature ovarian failure is limited after the doxorubicin-bleomycin-vinblastine-dacarbazine regimen.
Which chemotherapy causes infertility?
Drugs which may cause infertility in men and women include: Alkylating agents- such as busulfan, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and melphalan. Other categories of chemotherapy drugs, include
Cytarabine, 5-flurouracil, methotrexate, vincristine, vinblastine, bleomycin, doxorubicin, and daunorubicin
.
Does carboplatin make you infertile?
Chemo drugs that are
linked to the risk of infertility in females
are: Busulfan. Carboplatin.
How can I flush chemo out of my system?
Chemotherapy can be dehydrating.
Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment
helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.
What are the signs that chemo is working?
Complete response – all of the cancer or tumor disappears; there is no evidence of disease. A tumor marker (if applicable) may fall within the normal range. Partial response – the cancer has shrunk by a percentage but disease remains. A tumor marker (if applicable) may have fallen but evidence of disease remains.
What cancers is etoposide used for?
Etoposide is used to treat
testicular cancer and certain forms of lung cancer
(such as small cell lung cancer). Etoposide works by slowing the growth of cancer cells.
