Chemotherapy as a treatment for secondary bone cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs which destroy cancer cells. They work by disrupting the growth of cancer cells.

The drugs are usually given by injection into a vein (intravenously). Chemotherapy is usually given as a course of several treatments, each treatment lasting from a few hours to a few days. This is followed by a rest period of a few weeks, which allows your body to recover from any side effects. The number of treatments you have will be planned in advance, but may be altered depending on how well the chemotherapy works.

Whether chemotherapy can be used, and the type of drugs used, will also depend on where the cancer started in the body. For example, if you have cancer of the breast that has spread to the bones, you will have the chemotherapy drugs which treat breast cancer cells.

Usually, chemotherapy is given as an outpatient. Occasionally a short stay in hospital may be necessary.

Many people are frightened about the idea of having chemotherapy, particularly because of the potential side effects that can occur. Chemotherapy can cause side effects but these will depend on the drugs used. Side effects can usually be well controlled with medicines that your doctor can prescribe.

Treatment with chemotherapy for secondary bone cancer is designed to try and shrink the secondaries, to improve symptoms and quality of life, and to prolong life if possible. For some people the chemotherapy will help to shrink the cancer leading to a reduction in the symptoms. However, for other people the chemotherapy will not have any effect on the cancer and they will have the side effects of the treatment without the benefit.

Making decisions about treatment in these circumstances is always difficult. You may need to discuss the possible benefits and disadvantages in detail with your doctor, before you decide whether you wish to have chemotherapy. If you choose not to have chemotherapy, you can still be given medicines to control any symptoms that you have.