Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai (http://tmh.gov.in) has a very systematic approach for confirmation of diagnosis and planning drugs for the therapy through their Lymphoma Clinics. A committee of doctors examines all reports, discusses the pros and cons in the presence of a patient, and informs the patient about selected course of action. I was personally impressed by this open approach. In my case, treatment of R-CVP chemo therapy was decided on 15th December and first cycle of chemo was completed on 16th December.
R – Rituximab (monoclonal antibody). This antibody attaches itself to CD20 protein of B cells that are cancerous. The immune system then picks out such B cells and destroys them, healthy B cells do not carry CD20 and therefore remain unaffected,
C – Cyclophosphamide (chemo therapy)
V – Vincristine (chemotherapy)
P – Prednisolone (Steroid)
Details of functions and its side effects can be viewed at http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/about-cancer/treatment/cancer-drugs/r-cvp
Observations during the RCV-P administration: Rituximab was administered @ 15ml/hr in the beginning for about one hour, followed by 25 ml/Hr for one hour then 50 ml/Hr for one hour and finally 100 ml/ Hr till the end. This drip lasted for about 5+ hours. I was comfortable and the BP was also normal throughout. At the end of an hour or so I started feeling slight itching that was progressing from top of the ears – back of the ears – below the ears under the jaws – in both arm pits and then in upper edge of the left enlarged inguinal node. This progression lasted for about 10 minutes. I had to pass urine twice during the course and had to clear bowel once. Remaining drugs were administered in less than 2 hours subsequently. Avil was injected in the beginning and Emeset was also administered but I do not remember the sequence. I had also taken Wysolone (Prednisolone) 100 mg the same day in the morning. I slept well that night.
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