Refractory cancer does not respond to treatments, but patients may be able to find new options through clinical trials or compassionate use of medicines. Oncologists supervise the care of these patients, who may receive supportive treatment to manage symptoms.
Refractory cancer is cancer that does not respond to treatments. Individuals with cases of refractory cancer may receive supportive care to help them feel more comfortable, but their treatment options have been exhausted. Because new treatments are often in development, patients with this diagnosis may be able to find a clinical trial or apply for compassionate use of medicines to try another treatment option that might not otherwise be available. The care of these patients is supervised by an oncologist, a specialist doctor who deals with the treatment of cancer.
For some refractory tumors, the cancer resists treatment right from the start. Various treatment protocols may be tried, but the cancer is resistant to all. These tumors do not shrink or disintegrate in response to chemotherapy and radiation and cannot be operated on or come back after surgery. A diagnosis of refractory cancer can be made by looking at medical imaging studies to see if the cancer is shrinking or changing shape in response to treatments.
In other cases, a cancer initially responds to treatment but stops responding midway through treatment. Patients with this refractory form of cancer may initially improve before the cancer returns and stubbornly resist treatments. In these patients, scans from various stages of treatment can be compared to see how the cancer is responding and to identify where the cancer stopped being amenable to treatment.
If a patient has cancer that is unresponsive to treatment and all traditional avenues of treatment have been pursued, an oncologist may recommend the patient for clinical trials. Clinical trials provide access to drugs under development and can provide opportunities for the patient. Some studies actively seek out patients with refractory cancer. Patients can also browse clinical trial databases to see if there are any ongoing trials they can enroll in.
Treatment to manage symptoms is also provided. Cancer can be painful, and a patient with refractory cancer will be given pain medication to increase comfort. Other medications and treatments can address symptoms such as loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea, breathing difficulties and organ failure. Some patients prefer to receive supportive treatment at home with the assistance of a home nurse, while others may prefer to be hospitalized or housed in an inpatient setting. As new treatment options arise, patients may be presented with them to determine if they are interested in pursuing new treatments for their cancers.
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