Line 78: |
Line 78: |
| | | |
| ===Chemotherapy=== | | ===Chemotherapy=== |
− | * Combination chemotherapy is the most frequent method of treatment
| + | Combination chemotherapy is the most frequent method of treatment and the most commonly used protocols include: |
− | * Commonly used protocols include:
| |
| ** COP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone. Frequently used in cats and can be used for induction therapy (8weeks) as well as a long term maintenance protocol | | ** COP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone. Frequently used in cats and can be used for induction therapy (8weeks) as well as a long term maintenance protocol |
| ** COAP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone, Cytosine arabinoside | | ** COAP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone, Cytosine arabinoside |
| ** CHOP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone, Doxorubicin, (potentiated sulphonamides) | | ** CHOP - Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone, Doxorubicin, (potentiated sulphonamides) |
− | * Corticosteroids must not be administered prior to initiation of chemotherapy as they can cause resistance to cytotoxics and hence reduce the rate of response and the survival time. | + | *Corticosteroids must not be administered prior to initiation of chemotherapy as they can cause resistance to cytotoxics and hence reduce the rate of response and the survival time. |
− | * The aim is to induce remission and then continue with a maintenance regime, adjusting the dose as required with rescue therapy should relapse occur.
| + | The aim is to induce remission and then continue with a maintenance regime, adjusting the dose as required with rescue therapy should relapse occur. |
− | * Response to treatment can be monitored via reduction in tumour mass and size of lymph nodes.
| + | Response to treatment can be monitored via reduction in tumour mass and size of lymph nodes and haematological values should be frequently monitored to assess degree of effects of drugs. |
− | * Haematological values should be frequently monitored to assess degree of effects of drugs.
| |
| | | |
| ===Supportive Therapy=== | | ===Supportive Therapy=== |