Breast cancer chemotherapy - DRUGS

Chemotherapy - is a very effective method of treating tumors using poisons or toxins . Poison or toxin is then called the chemotherapeutic agents or chemotherapeutic agent .Chemotherapy - is a very effective method of treating cancer , chemotherapy because of rapidly act on the cells .The goal of chemotherapy , as well as other types of systemic therapy - this effect on all cancer cells that are in the body. This distinguishes it from methods of local treatment (e.g. radiotherapy ) , in which the effect exerted on a certain area of ​​the body.Chemotherapy may be applied as before surgery to shrink a tumor , and thereafter , in order to prevent recurrence and metastasis of the tumor.

FDA approves new drug iksempra (ixempra - ixabepilone ) for the treatment of common forms of breast cancer when other chemotherapy drugs are no longer active . In particular , this new drug is used in combination with Xeloda ( capecitabine ) .

Iksempra belongs to a new group of drugs - epothilones . Their principle of operation is similar to taxanes , which include Taxol and Taxotere. And iksemra and taxanes affect the process of division and multiplication of cancer cells. Researchers believe that iksempra may be more effective in advanced breast cancer, since it is more difficult to develop resistance .

Studies have shown that the drug was effective iksempra in advanced breast cancer when standard chemotherapy did not give the desired effect. Compared with the individual application iksempry combination with Xeloda gave more lasting effect. However, so far it is not clear whether the use of the drug iksempra improve survival in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Before you choose the most suitable for you regimen , dosage and duration, the physician must carefully examine the results of histological examination of the tumor and history of the disease .

Ideally, the chemotherapy regimen should have the following properties:

• Dispose of all kinds of cancerous cells in a particular part of the breast,

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• Use drugs , the effect of which reinforce each without side effects,

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• Should act so that cancer cells could not adapt to chemotherapy drugs ,

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• Have a level of side effects , which you can move .

Chemotherapy may be chosen as a combination of drugs ( ATS , TSMF , TSAF , FATS , or AT). The efficiency is from 35 to 60 %.

Chemotherapy may be in the form of only one drug - drug adriamycin or group of taxanes ( Tacola or Taxotere ) . The efficiency is 30 to 60 %. Also combinations of these and other commonly used .

     
The most frequent combination chemotherapy in patients with lymph node involvement is a course consisting of four cycles of AC ( adriamycin + cyclophosphamide ) and the next four cycles of Taxol or Taxotere .

It was revealed that more effective taxotere in patients with advanced cancer than Taxol , but has more severe side effects.

New chemotherapy drug Abraxane contains the same active ingredient as that of taxol . But unlike taxol basis of Cremophor Abraxane is created on the basis of protein . Cremophor - a derivative of castor oil, which is toxic to the body and may cause allergic reactions. For the prevention of these complications before using taxol used steroidal agents . Unlike Taxol Abraxane has such properties and is safer to use.

You can safely run your normal life , whether that is undergoing chemotherapy .

But before you start treatment , you should pay attention to some details :

Recommended fully examined by a dentist and , if necessary, carry out the treatment of carious teeth and treatment of other oral problems . This is due to the fact that during chemotherapy increased the risk of infection , especially when various medical manipulations.

Chemotherapy can affect the results of the smear from the cervix (called a Pap test ) .

There is the likelihood of such complications as hair loss ( alopecia ) . Different chemotherapy drugs have different influence on this phenomenon . Some drugs can cause a partial loss of hair , the other - complete .

Make sure that you helped someone at home on the course of chemotherapy. One of its side effects may be fatigue, so even simple exercises at home can be baffling for you .

STAGES OF CHEMOTHERAPY

During the first consultation with an oncologist

Before you start treatment , he will explain you everything in detail : the possible side effects of a chemotherapy , the benefits of different techniques. Before you opt for one or another scheme of therapy , the doctor will examine your medical history, conduct research to examine all the results of your analyzes and X-ray studies .

Planning cycles of chemotherapy better on Thursday or Friday. This allows you to use the weekend to relax and easily transfer various side effects .

On the day of the treatment cycle

The nurse will measure your blood pressure , pulse, respiratory rate and body temperature.

In addition, measured either weight and height , it is necessary for the selection of appropriate doses of medication.

Then you lie on the couch and you set an intravenous infusion system - in other words, a dropper .

During cycles of chemotherapy every time blood test to count white blood cells.

Preparing for chemotherapy infusion may take some time. Before chemotherapy drug is introduced , you will be given " sedation " - medications that help to eliminate or mitigate such side effects as nausea , anxiety, and inflammation.

With some products you need to drink plenty of liquids . This applies , for example, Cytoxan in tablet form , which is an extended delay in the bladder can cause irritation to him . So tablets Cytoxan wash down with plenty of water .

After the end of the intravenous infusion of chemotherapy , intravenous catheter is removed from the vein . After that you can go home .

In the case of uncontrollable vomiting , nausea, diarrhea , or fever should immediately notify the physician.