Chemotherapy

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancer cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer they are being used to treat.

While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, chemotherapy drugs reach all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. Because of this, there may be side effects during treatment. Being able to anticipate these side effects can help you and your caregivers prepare and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring.

How is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy can be given:

  • As a pill to swallow
  • As an injection into the muscle or fat tissue
  • Intravenously (directly to the bloodstream; also called IV)
  • Topically (applied to the skin)
  • Directly into a body cavity

To reduce the damage to healthy cells and to give them a chance to recover, chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Chemotherapy may be given daily, weekly, every few weeks, or monthly, depending on your specific situation.

Chemotherapy is usually given in an outpatient setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or physician’s office. Patients receiving chemotherapy will be watched for reactions during treatments. Since each chemotherapy treatment session may last for a while, patients are encouraged to take along something that is comforting and helps to pass the time, such as music to listen to or a book to read. 

What are some of the chemotherapy drugs and their potential side effects?

There are many chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used. The following table gives examples of some chemotherapy drugs and their various names. It lists some of the cancer types but not necessarily all of the cancers for which they are used, and describes various side effects. Side effects may occur just after treatment (within days or weeks) or they may occur later (months or even years) after the chemotherapy has been given. The side effects listed below do not comprise an all-inclusive list. Other side effects are possible.

As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his or her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins.

Chemotherapy DrugPossible Side Effects
(Not all side effects are listed. Some of those listed may be short-term side effects; others are long-term side effects.)

Carboplatin
(Paraplatin)

  • Usually given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for cancers of the ovary, head and neck, and lung
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Confusion
  • Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (usually a short-term side effect occurring the first 24 to 72 hours following treatment)

Cisplatin
(Platinol, Platinol-AQ)

  • Usually given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for cancers of the bladder, ovary, and testicles
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Allergic reaction, including a rash and/or labored breathing (rare)
  • Nausea and vomiting that usually occurs for 24 hours or longer
  • Ringing in ears and hearing loss
  • Fluctuations in blood electrolytes
  • Kidney damage

Cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan)

  • Can be given intravenously (IV) or orally
  • Used mainly for lymphoma, breast cancer, and ovarian carcinoma
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Bladder damage
  • Fertility impairment
  • Lung or heart damage (with high doses)
  • Secondary malignancies (rare)

Docetaxel
(Taxotere)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for breast cancer, lung, and prostate
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Hair thinning
  • Rash
  • Numbness and tingling in hands and feet

Doxorubicin
(Adriamycin)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for breast cancer, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heart damage

Etoposide
(VePesid, VP-16)

  • Can be given intravenously (IV) or orally
  • Used mainly for cancers of the lung, testicles, leukemia, and lymphoma
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Allergic reaction(rare)
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Low blood pressure (during administration) (rare)
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea and abdominal pain
  • Bronchospasm (rare)
  • Flu-like symptoms (rare)

Fluorouracil
(5-FU)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for cancers of the colon, breast, stomach, and head and neck
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Photosensitivity
  • Dry skin, darkening of skin and nail beds 

Gemcitabine
(Gemzar)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for cancers of the pancreas, breast, ovary, and lung
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever and flu-like symptoms
  • Rash

Irinotecan
(Camptosar, CPT-11)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for cancers of the colon and rectum
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue 

Methotrexate
(Folex, Mexate, Amethopterin)

  • May be given intravenously (IV), intrathecally (into the spinal column), or orally
  • Used mainly for cancers of the breast, lung, blood, bone, and lymph system
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Skin rashes and photosensitivity
  • Dizziness, headache, or drowsiness
  • Kidney damage (with a high-dose therapy)
  • Liver damage (rare)
  • Hair loss (reversible)

Paclitaxel
(Taxol, Abraxane)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly with cancers of the breast, ovary, and lung
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Allergic reaction
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Change in taste
  • Thin or brittle hair
  • Joint pain (short-term)
  • Numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes

Vincristine
(Oncovin)

  • Usually given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for leukemia and lymphoma
  • Numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
  • Weakness
  • Loss of reflexes
  • Jaw pain
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Constipation or abdominal cramping

Vinblastine
(Velban)

  • Given intravenously (IV)
  • Used mainly for lymphoma and cancers of the testis and head and neck
  • Decrease in blood cell counts
  • Hair loss (reversible)
  • Constipation or abdominal cramping
  • Jaw pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes

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