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Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, revealed about her cancer diagnosis in a video message released by Kensington Palace on Friday. The princess said that tests carried out after her major stomach surgery in London revealed that cancer was present and her medical team advised her to undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy. He said that she was in the initial stages of treatment. Kate did not reveal what type of cancer she had. (Also Read | ‘Sorry, Kate Middleton’: Social media goes soul searching after cancer news
“The surgery was successful. However, post-operative testing found cancer to be present. So my medical team advised that I should undertake a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she said.
Preventive chemotherapy is not a clinical term, but experts agree that it can refer to adjuvant chemotherapy that is used to help destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It is commonly used to treat different types of cancer and may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation.
Different types of chemotherapy are used according to the need of the patient. Neo-adjuvant therapy is given before surgery or radiotherapy to shrink the tumor. Peri-operative therapy is given both before and after surgery. Palliative chemotherapy helps relieve symptoms if the cancer has spread.
What is adjuvant chemotherapy?
“Adjuvant chemotherapy is strategically employed after primary preventive treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy, with the aim of eliminating any residual cancer cells. Its primary purpose is to cure cancer by targeting potentially unknown malignant cells. The aim is to prevent the risk of recurrence, thereby increasing the chances of achieving long-term remission and potentially curing the disease,” says Dr Rajat Bajaj, Director-Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Noida.
“Even if a cancerous tumor is removed through surgery, if it is considered that there is a high risk of it recurring, then post op chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy comes into play. In this process, after surgery The patient is given chemotherapy drugs. Colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer are often treated with adjuvant therapy. It is difficult to understand what Ms. Kate Middleton’s statement means when she says that she is ‘preventive What do they mean if they are undergoing ‘chemotherapy’? To my understanding there is no such term coined and they could mean chemotherapy to prevent recurrence of cancer, which actually means adjuvant chemotherapy,” Dr. Says Sunny Jain, HOD and Senior Consultant, Oncology, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad.
“The benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy can last for many years, reducing the risk of recurrence or improving the chances of survival. This form of treatment is considered when the risk of cancer recurring is high, for example, or if lymph nodes are involved, which indicates that the cancer has spread. These treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and others,” says Dr. Jain says.
What is palliative chemotherapy?
“In contrast, when cancer reaches an incurable stage, palliative chemotherapy is enlisted, focusing on symptom management, enhancing quality of life, and survival by stopping disease progression. This approach provides relief from pain, Addresses nausea, fatigue and other symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment aims to optimize the overall well-being of the patient and provide comfort during advanced stages of the disease,” says Dr. Bajaj.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy vs. Palliative Chemotherapy: What’s the Difference?
While adjuvant chemotherapy is a preventive treatment used in early-stage cancer, it is more aggressive in nature. Palliative chemotherapy, on the other hand, focuses on relieving symptoms and is used in advanced cancer.
“Typically administered in early-stage cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy may include more aggressive preventive treatment protocols aimed at complete eradication of cancer cells, although with potentially intense side effects due to higher doses and extended duration. Palliative chemotherapy , often used in metastatic or advanced cancer, prioritizes symptom relief and enhanced quality of life, with limited efficacy in controlling disease progression,” says Dr. Bajaj.
“Both adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy offer their own benefits and challenges. Adjuvant chemotherapy holds promise for long-term disease control and survival, yet can cause more serious side effects due to its aggressive nature. In contrast, palliative chemotherapy, Focuses on improving survival and quality of life, the expert says, with limited effectiveness in controlling advanced cancer progression.
Dr. Bajaj says the choice between adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy depends on a variety of factors, including cancer stage, type, patient’s health, treatment goals, and associated benefits and risks.
“A multidisciplinary team consisting of oncologists, nurses, and palliative care specialists collaborates to guide treatment decisions, ensuring personalized, comprehensive care tailored to the individual patient’s needs. Through such concerted efforts, patients receive optimal support and treatment, enhancing their overall experience and outcomes in the complex landscape of cancer care,” concludes the expert.
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