GemCarbo chemotherapy (consisting of gemcitabine, also known as Gemzar, and carboplatin which are both colourless fluids) is used to treat several different types of cancer, but is most commonly used to treat lung cancer. GemCarbo chemotherapy is usually given as a day patient treatment, involving a blood test the day before, and the drugs are given by an infusion.
The GemCarbo regimen is given as a 21-day cycle and on the first day of treatment the patient is given both the gemcitabine and carboplatin. On the same day of the following week (day eight) there is a drip of gemcitabine only. There then follows a rest period of two weeks which completes one cycle of chemotherapy.
The next cycle of treatment is given after a rest period, which will be three weeks after the first injection. Usually 4–6 cycles of treatment are given over a period of 3–4 months and this makes up a course of treatment. This treatment may prevent the further spread of the cancer or in some cases may reduce the size of the tumor between 20%-80% depending upon the individual.
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