Doctor recommends quitting chemo. Is this common?
My doctor is thinking about not having me complete my chemo treatments. I only have one more big one to go. Is this common? I have been very sick, but expected that after chemo.
Expert Answer
It sounds like your doctor did not explain clearly and you need to speak to her again and ask for clarification. Doctors recommend stopping chemo for several reasons. It may be that your body is not tolerating the chemotherapy well and the doctor wants you to take a break for healing. It may be that the therapy has been so effective that the doctor does not feel you need that final treatment. Or it may be that the doctor believes the treatment is not making enough of a difference to continue. It sounds like you want the straight scoop, so tell your doctor to spell it out. If it does turn out the doctor is giving you bad news and the chemo is not working, you'll want to know if there other treatment options to consider, or if this is all that the doctors can do. If you feel that your doctor is being overly cautious or pessimistic, this may be a time to get a second opinion.