The term chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs that kill cancer cells in the treatment of different types of cancer, according to the Macmillan Cancer Support website. Doctors have more than 50 chemotherapy drugs available to them as they design cancer treatments that are specific for particular cancer cases. Sometimes a drug is used alone, but other times a combination of drugs is the best course of action.
Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome)
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, dacarbazine is a chemotherapy medication used for the treatment of melanoma or Hodgkin lymphoma. Dacarbazine is a pale yellow solution that is received through an intravenous drip line in the hand, arm, or near the collarbone. The infusion may last for 15 to 30 minutes or for up to 2 hours. The number of decarbazine chemotherapy sessions and the duration of treatment depends on the patient's condition. Common side effects may include nausea and vomiting, increased susceptibility to infection, bruising or bleeding, anemia, loss of appetite and pain at the injection site. Hair loss is a rarely occurring side effect of dacarbazine cancer treatment.
Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)
Daunorubicin is an intravenous medication for the treatment of some types of cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Daunorubicin treatment is dispensed directly from a doctor, and the dosing regimen will depend on the particular type of cancer. This medication can decrease white blood cell count and make patients more prone to infections. It can also lower blood platelet counts which leads to unusual bleeding and bruising. If the daunorubicin solution accidentally leaks out of the intravenous drip line during treatment, redness, pain and swelling at the site of injection may occur. Other side effects include cough or hoarseness, fever or chills, irregular heartbeat, sores on the lips or in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, red-colored urine, temporary loss of hair and joint pain.
Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
According to the website Monthly Prescribing Reference, gemcitabine is a prescription, intravenous treatment that is used in combination with carboplatin for advanced ovarian cancer and in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic breast cancer. It is a single-drug intravenous chemotherapy treatment for cancer of the pancreas. A typical course of chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer involves receiving the drug once a week for seven weeks followed by a week of rest. The chemotherapy course varies with the type of cancer. Before a patient receives treatment with gemcitabine, the doctor will check liver and kidney function and recheck them during treatment to monitor any problems. Side effects of treatment include suppression of bone marrow activity, blood or protein in the urine, hives, rash, difficulty breathing, flu-like symptoms and hair loss.
