FLOT refers to a type of chemotherapy treatment available as a four-drug combination. It may be suitable for individuals with certain cancers, such as stomach cancer. Doctors administer FLOT via a drip and a pump, and treatment takes place in a hospital setting.
Chemotherapy is a treatment option that involves drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells and prevents them from growing and making more cells. Many different types of chemotherapy drugs are available, and they may have different effects on different cancers. FLOT receives its name after the drugs in the treatment regimen.
This article explores the drugs involved in FLOT therapy, expectations, and side effects, among other factors.
FLOT refers to four chemotherapy drugs:
It may be a good treatment option for stomach and esophageal cancers. The drugs destroy cancer cells that are dividing at a fast rate.
Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil, also known as 5FU, is often given in combination with other cancer drugs. It is an antimetabolite drug, which means it kills cancer cells by acting as false building blocks in the cell’s genes so that it dies before dividing. A person takes fluorouracil intravenously usually via a small pump.
Leucovorin
Unlike the other three drugs,
Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin, also known as Eloxatin, is an
Docetaxel
Docetaxel is an
Before or on the day of treatment, a healthcare professional will take a blood sample to check that the individual is a suitable candidate for chemotherapy. Often, a person will also receive antinausea, or antiemetic drugs, before starting chemotherapy.
Individuals receive FLOT treatment intravenously. A healthcare professional performs this treatment using a long plastic tube that they insert into the vein in the chest. The FLOT treatment cycle requires 8 cycles, each lasting 14 days. A person receives the first four cycles before surgery and the next four cycles after surgery. The schedule typically runs as below:
| Day | Treatment | Administration | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | docetaxel oxaliplatin leucovorin | by drip into a vein | around 4 hours |
| 1 | fluorouracil | by a pump slowly through a vein | 1 day (24 hours) |
| 2 | disconnect pump | about 30 minutes |
FLOT chemotherapy is a
A 2021 retrospective analysis notes that overall survival was higher for individuals that completed their FLOT regimen to treat cancer. This emphasizes the importance of chemotherapy and receiving the maximum number of cycles. Additionally, a 2019 analysis and a
While cancer treatments intend to destroy cancer cells, they can also damage normal cells in the body, which can result in side effects. It is likely that anyone receiving chemotherapy will experience some side effects, and some people will have more issues than others. Some common side effects that people may experience when receiving treatment with FLOT include:
- breathlessness
- numbness of the fingers and toes
- high blood sugar levels
- high temperature
- shivers
Fluorouracil side effects and risks
Side effects of fluorouracil may include:
- diarrhea
- hand-foot syndrome
- confusion
- potential risk of heart problems
Leucovorin side effects and risks
Leucovorin rarely causes side effects as it is not a chemotherapy drug. In rare cases, it may cause:
- rashes
- hives
- itching
Oxaliplatin side effects and risks
Individuals who take oxaliplatin may experience the following:
- hypersensitivity reactions
- nausea
- fatigue
- cold-induced neuropathy
Docetaxel side effects and risks
As with the other drugs in FLOT, docetaxel can cause side effects, which can include:
- hematologic complications
- fever
- swelling
- alopecia
FLOT is a chemotherapy drug combination that a doctor may use to treat cancer. Often, they may use it for stomach and esophageal cancer. FLOT involves four drugs from which it receives its name: fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel.
Individuals receive this type of treatment intravenously at a hospital or outpatient cancer center. A healthcare professional will administer these drugs using a drip and a pump.
The FLOT treatment cycle typically requires 8 cycles, each lasting 2 weeks. As with other types of chemotherapy, side effects may occur, such as fever, nausea, fatigue, and alopecia.