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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.Many different chemotherapy
drugs have been used to treat DIPG, but sadly none have been shown to cure this
tumour. However, like radiotherapy, chemotherapy can be used to slow down growth
of the tumour and prolong quality of life.The chemotherapy agent currently used
for this purpose is Temozolomide,which is started during or after recovery from
radiotherapy.Temozolomide,which is taken orally in liquid or capsule form, can be
given once a day, for three weeks on and one week off, or for fve days in every four
weeks at a slightly higher dose.The child is reviewed regularly and another scan
performed a couple of months later.
Side effects:
Hair loss
Nausea and vomiting – your child can feel sick or vomit when recovering from
chemotherapy; anti-sickness medicine is therefore given to prevent this, but if
nausea or vomiting still occurs other anti-sickness medicines can be used
Treatment can affect blood counts so the child may need blood or
platelet transfusions
Infections are more likely – if your child develops signs of an infection they must
be seen in hospital promptly, and will almost certainly require antibiotics
Pneumonia – Pneumocystis, a bug that usually lives harmlessly in the nose, can
develop into a particular type of pneumonia when on chemotherapy treatment.
The drug Cotrimoxazole would be administered three times a week to try to
prevent this
Affects appetite – it is likely your child’s appetite and palate will
change dramatically