The protocols listed in this section are those approved for use in St Luke’s Cancer Centre and associated hospitals. The Haematology Chemotherapy protocols are used to treat cancers of the blood, such as leukaemia, cancer of the bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma, and cancers of the lymph glands such as lymphoma. Similarly, the Oncology Chemotherapy protocols listed are for treatment of solid tumours. Examples of solid tumours are breast cancer, bowel cancer and lung cancer. These protocols may be used on their own or combined with surgery or radiotherapy depending on your cancer. The Supportive Care Guidelines are used to treat some of the specific side effects of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy treatment regimens are based on the results of national and international research into the best methods for treating each particular cancer. A protocol is simply a set of instructions or rules about how a particular treatment regimen (in this case, drugs) should be given to patients. The protocols are grouped together according to the condition that they are used to treat. The actual protocol used for a specific patient will depend on many individual factors. The prescribing doctor will consider all these factors in their discussions with the patient and their carers before deciding what the best treatment should be.
This list of protocols is not intended to be complete. There may be other protocols which are only available in special circumstances or as part of Clinical Trials. If there are any alternative protocols available, your doctor will discuss these with you. The list of protocols is continually under review to ensure that the most up to date treatments, such as those recommended by NICE, are available to our patients.
If you have any specific questions regarding how the protocols might apply to your condition please speak to your Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or GP. If you want to know more about the individual drugs you may be receiving, contact www.macmillan.org.uk who produce an excellent range of information about chemotherapy. Alternatively, for any general enquiries contact Sue Taylor, Oncology Pharmacist, on 01483 571 122 ext 6765.
