what other chemo treatment are there

There is a slowly growing range of alternative treatments to chemotherapy that may have fewer risks, but they also come with several limitations. Alternative therapies to chemotherapy include photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.

Full Answer

What is the strongest type of chemotherapy?

• Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide cycled every three weeks (TC)
• Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide cycled every three weeks (AC)
• Docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide cycled every three weeks (TAC)
• Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide cycled every three weeks, followed or preceded by docetaxel cycled every three weeks (AC+T)

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What are the types of chemotherapy treatment?

Type of chemotherapy: Cancer it may be used to treat: alkylating agents : multiple myeloma sarcoma Hodgkin’s disease lung cancer breast cancer ovarian cancer: plant alkaloids: topoisomerase ...

What are the different types of chemotherapy drugs?

Types of chemo drugs

• Alkylating agents. Alkylating agents keep the cell from reproducing (making copies of itself) by damaging its DNA. ...
• Antimetabolites. ...
• Anti-tumor antibiotics. ...
• Topoisomerase inhibitors. ...
• Mitotic inhibitors. ...
• Corticosteroids. ...
• Other chemotherapy drugs. ...

What to expect after first round of chemotherapy?

• Avoid people with colds or other infections. Chemotherapy weakens your body's immune system. Your immune system helps fight infections.
• Drink lots of fluids for 48 hours after chemotherapy. This helps move the drugs through your body.
• Whether there are activities to do or avoid doing on future treatment days.

What are the different types of chemo?

Below are the main types of chemotherapy:Alkylating agents.Antimetabolites.Anti-tumor antibiotics.Topoisomerase inhibitors.Mitotic inhibitors.Plant alkaloids.

How many different types of chemo are there?

There are more than 100 types of chemotherapy drugs, with the main types being alkylating agents, antimetabolites, anti-tumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, and more. They target different parts of the cell replicating process. Different types are used to treat different cancers.

Is there an alternative treatment to chemotherapy?

There are several alternative cancer treatments to chemotherapy, including immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and laser therapy. Some people may prefer these alternatives due to the potentially severe side effects of chemotherapy.

What are some chemo treatments?

Chemotherapy drugs work by disrupting cell growth . Different drugs target different phases of growth and have different effects against some cancers....Doctors typically combine several drugs, including:cyclophosphamide.chlorambucil.bendamustine.ifosfamide.prednisone.dexamethasone.cisplatin.carboplatin.More items...•

What is the name of the strongest chemotherapy?

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is one of the most powerful chemotherapy drugs ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, the drug can also damage heart cells, so a patient can't take it indefinitely.

What are the 6 classes of chemotherapy drugs?

Types of chemotherapy drugsAlkylating agents. This group of medicines works directly on DNA to keep the cell from reproducing itself. ... Nitrosoureas. ... Anti-metabolites. ... Plant alkaloids and natural products. ... Anti-tumor antibiotics. ... Hormonal agents. ... Biological response modifiers.

Can you avoid chemotherapy?

It is likely to change the way many newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are treated. "With results of this groundbreaking study, we now can safely avoid chemotherapy in about 70% of patients who are diagnosed with the most common form of breast cancer," said Kathy Albain, MD, a co-author of the study.

What happens if you can't tolerate chemo?

Other options. If cancer does not respond to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments, palliative care is still an option. A person can receive palliative care with other treatments or on its own.

How is immunotherapy different from chemotherapy?

Unlike chemotherapy, which acts directly on cancerous tumors, immunotherapy treats patients by acting on their immune system. Immunotherapy can boost the immune response in the body as well as teach the immune system how to identify and destroy cancer cells.

What are the newest chemotherapy drugs?

The FDA approved rituximab (Rituxan, Genentech) in combination with chemotherapy for pediatric patients (≥6 months to <18 years of age) with previously untreated, advanced-stage, CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, Burkitt-like lymphoma or mature B-cell acute leukemia.

What is palliative chemotherapy?

Clarification regarding the term palliative chemotherapy is critical: palliative chemotherapy is defined as chemotherapy that is given in the non-curative setting to optimize symptom control, improve quality of life (QoL) and, ideally, to improve survival.

What is Red Devil chemo?

The chemotherapy (“chemo”) drug “The Red Devil” is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). It is an intravenous cancer medicine with a clear, bright red color, which is how it got its nickname.

Benefits

PDT avoids extensive damage as the drugs leave healthy cells and accumulate in cancerous cells. It also does not cause scarring, making it a good option for people with skin cancers and precancers.

Risks

PDT may harm normal cells, leading to side effects, including burns, swelling, and pain. Other effects depend on the treatment area, with some individuals having trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, stomach pain, and skin problems. A person may be highly light-sensitive for some time after the treatment.

Compared with chemotherapy

As with chemotherapy, PDT is non-invasive and performed as an outpatient procedure. However, doctors cannot use PDT to treat cancers in areas where light cannot reach or cancers that have spread.

Benefits

The laser is exact, enabling doctors to remove tumors without damaging the surrounding tissues, reducing pain, bleeding, infections, and scarring. Surgeons may find that procedures take less time than with traditional tools.

Risks

Without following strict safety precautions, lasers can pose health risks. The person receiving the treatment and surgical team must wear eye protection to avoid injury.

Compared with chemotherapy

Laser therapy treats cancers and precancers of the skin or lining of the internal organs. Unlike chemotherapy, it cannot treat tumors in areas the laser cannot reach.

Benefits

Because immunotherapy harnesses the power of the individual’s immune system, it can target cancer cells precisely while protecting healthy cells from harm.

How Many Types of Chemotherapy Drugs Are There?

There are more than 100 types of chemotherapy drugs. The main types are: 2 3

How Chemotherapy Treats Cancer

Every time any new cell is formed, it goes through a usual process to become a fully functioning cell. The process involves a series of phases and is called the cell cycle. Cancer cells go through the same process. Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting cells at different phases of the cell cycle. 1

The Cancers That Chemotherapy Treats

Chemotherapy can treat a wide variety of cancers. Typically, chemotherapy is used when surgery is not an option or it's performed after surgery. Cancers that can be treated by chemotherapy include:

The Ways Chemotherapy Is Given to Patients

When receiving chemotherapy, the drugs may come in the following forms: 8

Side Effects of the Types of Chemotherapy

Nausea and vomiting are often the most common side effects. In some cases, they can be so severe that they lead to an inability to absorb nutrients, weight loss, low red blood cell count ( anemia ), fatigue, and an increased risk of sepsis, where the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues. 10

What to Expect From Treatment

If you are receiving chemotherapy in the hospital, you may want to bring some personal items with you, such as a book to read or a blanket to keep you warm. Having a friend or family member with you during your first treatment session will also be helpful for remembering important information and getting moral support.

Summary

Chemotherapy helps disrupt the process through which cancer cells make copies of themselves. There are more than 100 types of chemotherapy drugs, with the main types being alkylating agents, antimetabolites, anti-tumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, and more. They target different parts of the cell replicating process.

What is the most common drug used for chemo?

According to the National Cancer Institute, alkylating agents are the most common category of drugs used in chemotherapy today. Alkylating agents damage the DNA of cancer cells and prevent them from dividing. Some of the drugs that fall into this category include: chlorambucil. cyclophosphamide.

What are the main categories of chemotherapy drugs?

your personal preferences. Chemotherapy drugs are broadly classified based on their mode of action. The main categories include: alkylating agents. plant alkaloids (topoisomerase inhibitors and mitotic inhibitors) anti-metabolites. anti-tumor antibiotics.

What cancers are chemotherapy used for?

Type of chemotherapy. Cancer it may be used to treat. alkylating agents. multiple myeloma sarcoma. Hodgkin’s disease. lung cancer. breast cancer.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Cancer is a large group of conditions caused by the rapid division of abnormal cells. Chemotherapy is one treatment option that involves receiving medication that keeps cancer cells from spreading.

How many chemotherapy drugs are approved for cancer?

One 2017 study. Trusted Source. showed that the FDA approved at least 150 chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer.

What are the different types of cancers that are treated with corticosteroids?

lung cancer. colorectal cancer. ovarian cancer. prostate cancer. Corticosteroids, or just steroids, are hormone-like drugs used in the treatment of many illnesses. They may be used during chemotherapy to directly treat cancer or help prevent gastric side effects and allergic reactions caused by other drugs.

What are antimetabolites used for?

Some drugs that fall in this category include: azacitidine. clofarabine. floxuridine. Anti-metabolites are often used to treat these cancers among others: breast cancer . leukemia.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Overview. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body. Many different chemotherapy drugs are available.

Why is chemotherapy used?

To prepare you for other treatments. Chemotherapy can be used to shrink a tumor so that other treatments, such as radiation and surgery, are possible. Doctors call this neoadjuvant therapy. To ease signs and symptoms. Chemotherapy may help relieve signs and symptoms of cancer by killing some of the cancer cells.

Why is chemo used for bone marrow transplant?

Chemotherapy is often used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. Immune system disorders. Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs can help control an overactive immune system in certain diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the best treatment for skin cancer?

Chemotherapy creams. Creams or gels containing chemotherapy drugs can be applied to the skin to treat certain types of skin cancer. Chemotherapy drugs used to treat one area of the body. Chemotherapy drugs can be given directly to one area of the body.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy is most often given as an infusion into a vein (intravenously). The drugs can be given by inserting a tube with a needle into a vein in your arm or into a device in a vein in your chest.

What doctor do you see during chemotherapy?

You'll meet with your cancer doctor (oncologist) regularly during chemotherapy treatment. Your oncologist will ask about any side effects you're experiencing, since many can be controlled. Depending on your situation, you may also undergo scans and other tests to monitor your cancer during chemotherapy treatment.

What do you need to do before intravenous chemo?

You may need to: Have a device surgically inserted before intravenous chemotherapy. If you'll be receiving your chemotherapy intravenously — into a vein — your doctor may recommend a device, such as a catheter, port or pump. The catheter or other device is surgically implanted into a large vein, usually in your chest.

How is intrapleural chemo used?

It may also be used to remove extra fluid from around your lung. Intrapleural chemo may be used to treat cancer in the lining of your lung or the fluid that surrounds your lung.

How does chemo work?

Chemo is medicine used to shrink a tumor or kill cancer cells. Chemo can help cure cancer, prevent cancer from spreading, and relieve symptoms caused by cancer. You may get chemo at home, in your healthcare provider's office, in a clinic, or in a hospital. Chemo may be given to you 1 or more ways. The way that you get chemotherapy may depend on: 1 The type of cancer you have 2 Where the cancer is in your body 3 The type of chemo you need

What is IA chemo?

This type of chemo stays in one part of your body. This help decrease your risk for side effects. It may be used to treat a tumor in your liver, arm, or leg. IA chemo may also be known as regional chemo.

Where is chemo injected?

IT chemo is injected into the fluid around your spine and brain. It may be given through a needle that is inserted into your spine or through a device in your brain. This device is called an Ommaya reservoir. It is inserted during a surgical procedure and stays in place for your entire treatment.

Overview

Why It's Done

Risks

How You Prepare

What You Can Expect

• Determining which chemotherapy drugs you'll receive
  Your doctor chooses which chemotherapy drugs you'll receive based on several factors, including: 1. Type of cancer 2. Stage of cancer 3. Overall health 4. Previous cancer treatments 5. Your goals and preferences Discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Together you can decide what…
• How chemotherapy drugs are given
  Chemotherapy drugs can be given in different ways, including: 1. Chemotherapy infusions.Chemotherapy is most often given as an infusion into a vein (intravenously). The drugs can be given by inserting a tube with a needle into a vein in your arm or into a device in a vein in …

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