Contents:
- Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy, a treatment that is reliable enough to kill cancer
- What are the commonly used chemotherapy drugs?
- Cyclophosphamide
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
- Vincritine
- Methotrexate (Maxtrex)
Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one type of cancer treatment through drugs, either drinking drugs or drugs that are inserted through an IV. This chemotherapy drug works by turning off cancer cells that grow in the body or slowing the development of cancer cells. Then what are the chemotherapy drugs that are quite commonly used? Are there any side effects from chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy, a treatment that is reliable enough to kill cancer
Until now, chemotherapy has become a reliable treatment for cancer. Because the chemotherapy drugs work to inhibit and destroy the growth of cancer cell development.
Unfortunately, because drugs flow in the bloodstream and can affect various cells in the body, normal cells also suffer. Yes, chemotherapy drugs can also make normal cells weaken.
With the weakening of healthy cells, a number of side effects arise, from things like canker sores, nausea, hair loss, to other conditions.
But this effect will disappear after you finish this treatment. Therefore, post-chemotherapy treatment must be done properly so that the body's condition is not getting weaker.
What are the commonly used chemotherapy drugs?
Basically, there are many chemotherapy drugs that can be used, depending on the type of cancer that is experienced, the stage of the cancer, and the condition of each patient. However, there are some of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs in this series of treatments.
Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is one of the chemotherapy drugs that are included in the alkylating agents group. The way this drug works is by sticking to one of the strands of DNA of the cancer cell and doubling the process in the DNA strand. DNA is the genetic code in each cell, which functions to regulate all cell activity.
This chemo drug is available in the form of an infusion directly into the blood vessels and also in the form of tablets that must be taken.
Like most drugs, Cyclophosphamide also has side effects. Side effects that can arise are:
- Increased risk of infection
- Hair loss
- There is blood in the urine
- High body temperature
- Pale and shortened breath
- Feeling very tired
- Mouth feels sour
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
Doxorubicin, known by its brand name Adriamycin is a chemotherapy drug used for several types of cancer. This Doxorubicin belongs to the group of anthracycline drugs.
The way this drug works is by blocking the enzyme isomerase 2, a substance used by cancer cells to divide. Usually this drug is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. This chemotherapy drug is given by infusion.
The side effects that can occur when using this drug, namely:
- Hair loss
- Mouth and throat feel sour
- Red or pink urine
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Breath shortens and looks pale
- The palms and feet are red and painful
- Appetite decreases
- Nosebleeds and gums bleed
- Feel weak during and after therapy
- Increases the risk of infection
Vincritine
Vincritine is a chemotherapy drug that enters the vinca alkaloids group. This drug works by stopping the division of cancer cells into two parts. That way, the growth of cancer cells will be restrained and not more. Vincritine is inserted directly into a vein through an IV or intravenously.
As for some of the side effects that chemo drugs can cause, including:
- Feel unwell or sick
- Feels very tired after chemo and chemo
- Your fingers feel numb or ant
- Constipation
- Stomach aches
- Hair thinning or falling out
- Menstruation stops.
- Fever (in children)
- Difficulty in urinating
- Sore throat
- Muscles and bones hurt
- Swelling around the infusion needle
Methotrexate (Maxtrex)
Methotrexate is one group of anti-metabolites drugs that are used as chemotherapy drugs. The medicine for the anti-metabolite group works by damaging cancer cells so they don't work properly.
Cancer cells in the body need to make and repair DNA in their cells to grow and multiply. Well, this chemo drug functions to interfere with the process of repairing DNA in cancer cells.
This chemo drug is given in the form of tablets, injection into a blood vessel, injection into the muscle, or injection into the spinal fluid. The side effects that can arise due to this drug include:
- Diarrhea
- Eyes hurt
- Hair loss
- The body hurts
- Mouth and throat hurt
- Stomach aches
- Feeling tired
- Ease nosebleeds or experience bleeding gums
