Bladder cancer is a highly treatable cancer because, according the American Cancer Society, 74 percent of bladder cancers are found before they have spread beyond the bladder. According to the society, men have a much higher incidence than women and 90 percent of bladder cancers occur in those over age 55. Strategies to treating bladder cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and intravesical therapy. Chemotherapy medications are typically given in combinations for maximum effect.
M-VAC
M-VAC is an acronym for the medications methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin. Side effects for this chemotherapy are long and listed by Macmillan Cancer Support as anemia, risk for infection, taste changes, discoloured urine, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, changes in hearing, numbness in hands/feet, kidney damage, watery eyes, and risk for bleeding.
gemCIS
Gemzar and cisplatin have been used in combination for the treatment of bladder cancer, according to The American Cancer Society. Side effects for these medications include fatigue, infection, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, kidney damage, hearing changes, anorexia, hair loss, and fluid retention.
Carboplatin and Palictaxel
Carboplatin and palictaxel are a combination of chemotherapy drugs that are used for many types of cancer including bladder cancer. Common side effects for this chemotherapy regimen include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, taste changes, lowered blood counts, fatigue, mouth sores, infertility, and aching joints.
Cytoxan
Cytoxan is another medication used in the treatment of bladder cancer. The Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing states that cytoxan may be added to the M-VAC regimen or may be coupled with other chemotherapy medications. Common side effects of Cytoxan are lowered blood counts, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, infertility, and discoloration of nails.
5-FU
5-FU or fluorouracil may be used with or without other chemotherapy agents depending on the type of bladder cancer. 5-FU is commonly given with leucovorin; a drug that is thought to minimize the chemotherapy's side effects. Side effects for this medication can include diarrhea, nausea, mouth sores, anorexia, watery eyes, metallic taste changes, and lowered blood counts.
Mytomycin C
Mitomycin C can be given intravenously or injected directly into the bladder through a catheter. It is often used with medications that boost the immune system and help the body to fight the cancer. Common side effects from mitomycin C include lowered blood counts, fatigue, mouth sores, and anorexia. Chemocare.com states less common side effects as nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, and bladder inflammation.
References
- American Cancer Society: Chemotherapy for Bladder Cancer
- "Core Cirriculum for Oncology Nursing"; J. Itano, K. Taoka; 2005
- American Cancer Society: Bladder Cancer Statistics
- Macmillan Cancer Support: M-VAC Chemotherapy
