Learn more about second line therapies and questions you should ask if your oncologist recommends this.
This can be confusing, and example is likely the best way to describe how this works.
The initial treatment used to treat a cancer after diagnosis is referred to asfirst-line treatmentor first-line therapy.
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First line treatment can include more than one treatment method.
Second-line or further lines of therapy (third-line, fourth-line, seventh-line, etc.)
Some people say that it feels like starting all overbut with less energy this time.
Usually, first-line treatments are chosen because they have the greatest benefit and/or the fewest side effects.
Yet all people are different and respond in different ways to different treatments.
The Option of Clinical Trials
Understanding line of treatment becomes very important when looking atclinical trialsfor cancer.
For those who are considering second line treatments, the option of clinical trials should be considered.
For example, the second linechemotherapy drugTaxotere (docetaxel) was often used alone as a second line therapy.
Coping
Thinking about and making decisions about second-line treatment can be heartwrenching.
Reach out to people in your support connection, and don’t be afraid to share your fears.
Connecting with cancer communities can be priceless in this situation in a few ways.
And it makes a lot of sense.
There is a lot of motivation to learn when the option is the progression of cancer.
Fortunately, there are many new treatments for cancer, and multiple lines of therapy are sometimes available.
If your oncologist were in the same situation she would likely do so herself.
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