what medication is used after cancer treatment

Some medications are only approved for use after other treatments have failed or stopped working (such as chemotherapy). Overall, the platinum-based chemo medications cisplatin (Platinol®) and carboplatin (Paraplatin®) are the most broadly prescribed drugs in the treatment of lung cancers.

Full Answer

What is the best diet after cancer treatment?

61 rows · Drugs used to treat Cancer. The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition. Select drug class All drug classes alkylating agents (8) antibiotics/antineoplastics (3) antimetabolites (2) miscellaneous antineoplastics (2) mitotic inhibitors (5) Rx. OTC.

What is life like after cancer?

Use the A to Z list below to find consumer-friendly information about drugs for cancer and conditions related to cancer. The list is in alphabetical order by generic name and brand name. You can also find this information on our pages organized by cancer type and cancer-related condition: Drugs Approved for Different Types of Cancer

What happens after Chemo is finished?

Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) Fluorouracil (5FU) Fluorouracil (5FU) and mitomycin C. Fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel (FEC-T) Flutamide. Folinic acid, fluorouracil and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) Folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX)

What is the best treatment for cancer?

Life After Cancer Treatment. ... • Names and doses of chemotherapy and all other drugs • Key lab reports, x-ray reports, CT scans, and MRI reports 4 List of signs to watch for and possible long-term effects of treatment 4 Contact information for all health professionals involved in

What medication is given after chemotherapy?

What happens when cancer treatment is finished?

What is the treatment after cancer?

What medication is given to cancer patients?

Which cancer has highest recurrence rate?

How long after cancer treatment are you considered cancer free?

What happens after the last chemo treatment?

How do you get back to normal after cancer?

How long do cancer patients live after treatment?

What is the new cancer pill?

What is the most commonly used cancer drug?

What is the pill you take for 5 years after breast cancer?

What is maintenance therapy?

Maintenance therapy is the treatment of cancer with medication, typically following an initial round of treatment. Maintenance treatment may include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy. Maintenance therapy is used for the following reasons:

What is partial remission?

“Complete remission” means that the doctors cannot find cancer and you have no symptoms. To slow the growth of advanced cancer after the initial treatment. This can help shrink the cancer, which is called a partial remission.

Can you smoke marijuana for cancer?

In some states, it's legal to prescribe marijuana for cancer pain. Research suggests that marijuana can provide relief. It's been shown to lessen nerve pain. Marijuana can be smoked, inhaled, or eaten, such as in baked goods. Manmade versions of marijuana compounds are also available by prescription.

How to take pain medicine?

To take your pain medicine in a safe way, you should: Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has an addiction. Take your regular doses as prescribed. Don't hold out between doses or wait until the pain becomes severe. The best way to keep pain under control is to treat it early.

Can cancer cause physical pain?

When cancer causes you physical pain, there are many medicines that can help manage it so you feel better. Your doctor will prescribe what you need based on your situation. Any time you have pain, whether it's caused directly by your cancer or a side effect of treatment, tell your doctor right away. Don't try to tough it out.

Can you take acetaminophen with alcohol?

In normal amounts, this drug is usually safe. But large doses over long periods may lead to liver damage. Taking it with alcohol can also harm the liver. If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, talk with your doctor before taking acetaminophen.

Can acetaminophen cause stomach problems?

If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, talk with your doctor before taking acetaminophen. NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medicines lower inflammation along with pain. Side effects can include stomach problems and ulcers, especially if you drink alcohol or smoke.

What are the side effects of NSAIDS?

These medicines lower inflammation along with pain. Side effects can include stomach problems and ulcers, especially if you drink alcohol or smoke. NSAIDS use runs a risk for kidney damage, and increase blood pressure.

Can NSAIDs cause heart attacks?

NSAIDS use runs a risk for kidney damage, and increase blood pressure. Over the long run, NSAIDs may raise your risk of heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor before taking a pain reliever. Discuss other medications and treatments you're on.

Is targeted therapy a newer form of cancer treatment?

Similar to immunotherapy, targeted therapy is a newer form of cancer therapy, and is still being studied in ongoing clinical trials. Unlike most immune therapy drugs, targeted therapy medications are available to be taken in pill form.

What is chemo used for?

Chemotherapy medications may be used to shrink the size of tumors in one area as well as kill cancerous cells throughout the body. Chemo may be prescribed after surgery for patients with stage I or II cancers. For stages III and IV, chemo is often among the first-line therapies in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Side effects from chemo medications depend on the amount prescribed and the length of treatment. Common side effects include: 1 Diarrhea or constipation 2 Easily bruised 3 Fatigue 4 Hair loss 5 Increased risk of infections 6 Loss of appetite 7 Mouth sores 8 Nausea and vomiting 9 Weight loss

What is the treatment for lung cancer?

Chemotherapy may be used to treat several stages and types of lung cancer. Other commonly used chemotherapy drugs include: Some immunotherapy medications and targeted therapies have recently received approval from the FDA as a second-line lung cancer treatment.

What is the best treatment for small cell lung cancer?

Because most people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are often diagnosed in its advanced stages, chemo is considered the standard of treatment. Combinations of chemo medications generally used to treat SCLC include: Cisplatin and etoposide (Toposar®, Vepesid®) Carboplatin and etoposide. Cisplatin and irinotecan (Camptosar®)

What is targeted therapy for lung cancer?

Unlike most immune therapy drugs, targeted therapy medications are available to be taken in pill form. The most common targeted therapy drugs used for lung cancers target certain cancer genes, proteins, or tissues that help tumors grow and spread.

Does photofrin kill cancer cells?

The treatment injects porfimer sodium (Photofrin®), a light-activated medication, via IV. The drug attaches more strongly to cancer cells than healthy ones. Consequently, when a special laser is inserted into the chest and aimed at the tumors, the cancer’s cells begin to die.

Can cancer drugs make you forget things?

The drugs used to treat cancer can cause some people to have trouble concentrating or remembering things. This is often called “chemo brain,”#N#external icon#N#and it can make it hard for cancer patients to do their jobs or everyday tasks.

Can cancer have side effects?

Cancer treatments may have many side effects. A side effect occurs when treatment damages healthy cells. Side effects can be different for each person, and for different medicines and kinds of treatment. If you think you’re experiencing any side effects, talk to your medical team. They may be able to help you manage them.

Can side effects be different for each person?

Side effects can be different for each person, and for different medicines and kinds of treatment. If you think you’re experiencing any side effects, talk to your medical team. They may be able to help you manage them. in a variety of ways.

What is the name of the decrease in white blood cells?

Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against infection. Neutropenia is common after receiving chemotherapy. You will be checked for a low white blood cell count during treatment.

Does chemotherapy cause neutropenia?

Neutropenia is common after receiving chemotherapy. You will be checked for a low white blood cell count during treatment. Chemotherapy drugs work by killing fast-growing cells in the body—cancer cells and healthy white blood cells.

How does chemo work?

You will be checked for a low white blood cell count during treatment. Chemotherapy drugs work by killing fast-growing cells in the body —cancer cells and healthy white blood cells. During chemotherapy, you may have fewer than normal white blood cells to fight germs, so you’re more likely to get an infection.

Can you get an infection from chemo?

During chemotherapy, you may have fewer than normal white blood cells to fight germs, so you’re more likely to get an infection. Washing your hands often will lower your chance of getting an infection during chemotherapy. Talk with your doctor about other ways to lower your risk of getting an infection.

Can cancer be treated with targeted therapy?

Many kinds of cancer can be treated with targeted therapies, and there are many different types of targeted therapies. Here are some types with a few examples of how they are used.

Does chemo kill cancer cells?

Traditional chemotherapy is cytotoxic to most cells, meaning it can damage normal, healthy cells in addition to damaging and killing cancer cells. Targeted drugs often work by blocking cancer cells from copying themselves. This means they can help stop a cancer cell from dividing and making new cancer cells. Traditional chemotherapy, however, kills ...

Why are gene changes important in cancer?

For example, gene changes in cancer cells might allow the cell to grow and divide very quickly. These types of changes are what make it a cancer cell. But there are many different types of cancer, and not all cancer cells are the same. For example, colon cancer and breast cancer cells have different gene changes that help them grow and/or spread.

How does DNA work in cancer?

The action of targeted drugs can work to: Block or turn off chemical signals that tell the cancer cell to grow and divide. Change proteins within the cancer cells so the cells die. Stop making new blood vessels to feed the cancer cells.

How to stop cancer cells from growing?

Block or turn off chemical signals that tell the cancer cell to grow and divide. Change proteins within the cancer cells so the cells die. Stop making new blood ves sels to feed the cancer cells. Trigger your immune system to kill the cancer cells. Carry toxins to the cancer cells to kill them, but not normal cells.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs designed to "target" cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Cancer cells typically have changes in their genes that make them different from normal cells. Genes are part of a cell's DNA that tell the cell to do certain things.

Is chemo the same as targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy drugs, like other drugs used to treat cancer, are technically considered chemotherapy. But targeted therapy drugs don’t work the same way as traditional or standard chemotherapy (chemo) drugs. Targeted drugs zero in on some of the changes that make cancer cells different from normal cells. This makes them work differently ...