Chemotherapy Drugs

Chemotherapy drugs destroy the cancerous cells in the body. Depending on the extent and stage of the cancer, cancer chemotherapy can cure the cancer, destroy the cancerous cells, curtail its further growth and protect other healthy cells. Chemotherapy helps shrink the tumor thus allowing for a minor surgery. Sometimes, chemotherapy is the only available treatment for treating cancer. However, it can also be used along with other treatments like surgery and radiation therapy.

Some of the available chemotherapy drugs are mentioned below:

• Cisplatin: This is the drug that is used for cancers in bladder, testicles and ovary. It’s usually given intravenously.

• Carboplatin: It is administered intravenously and used for cancer in neck, lung, head and ovary.

• Docetaxel: This is the drug that is administered on patients suffering from cancer like, lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. It’s given intravenously.

• Cyclophosphamide: This can either be administered orally or intravenously. This drug is beneficial for patients suffering from breast cancer, lymphoma and ovarian carcinoma.

• Erlotinib: This cancer chemotherapy is administered orally and used for cancer non small cell lung cancer.

• Gemcitabine: It’s intravenously given to the patient. This chemotherapy drug is given to patients suffering from breast cancer, lung and ovary cancer.

• Methotrexate: It can be administered intravenously, in the spinal column or orally. This chemotherapy drug is useful for treating blood cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and cancer of the lymph nodes.

Cancer Chemotherapy differs from patient to patient as per their diagnosis and the state of advancement. So, the reaction to such chemotherapy pills will also be different for each patient. The side effects may be mild, severe or absent. You can always discuss with the medical team that is treating you about any possible side effects and take necessary measures.