Delaying a cycle of chemo

[Savin16]

I read somewhere, an article by Dr Craig Nichols, that delaying a cycle of chemo more than 7 days due to low white blood counts or mainly anything can actually do more harm. Does anyone know the reason for this? My brother only has 1 more round of VIP to go, but Gave UP mainly because of neuropathy, along with finance issues. I called his Dr. and told him he didn't want to continue with his chemo, and we discussed a lot, we got my brother to go back on Fri. to talk and to check his counts. (that Mon.his counts were dangerously low, one of the nurses said) so anyways his Onc. on Fri decided to hold off a week on chemo because of the counts and hoping his frame of mind will change. In the meantime I'll continue looking for that article.

[dadmo]

The problem with delaying a cycle of chemo is that the cancer can build up an immunity to that particular mix of chemicals. I know a delay of a day or two is fine with Sloan Kettering but I'm not sure they would want to put off treatment for a week. Perhaps you can get your oncologist to consualt with an expert.

[Savin16]

Thanks Dadmo, Do ya see the difference in finding a general onc. and a specialist, this Dr. has no clue. He was in contact with Indiana, but not lately. Wait till I confront him on this one.

[dadmo]

For most chemo patients it acceptable to postpone treatment based on the white blood cell count, but that is not true for testicluar cancer. Read this page and pay particular attention to the section titled "Delays During Chemotherapy". You may want to print it and make a copy available to your oncologist.