Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells that line the inside of the organs. Adenomas can cause cancer in many different parts of the body, including the stomach, intestines, lungs, breasts, pancreas and vulva. There are many chemotherapy drugs given to treat adenocarcinoma and physicians will determine treatments based on the type of adenocarcinoma, where it occurs in the body and how far the cancer has progressed. While there are many chemotherapy options, a handful of these medications are used most often.
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin belongs to a class of medications known as anthracycline antibiotics. Doxorubicin appears to work by interfering with the growth of cancer cells. Trained personnel give the drug as a shot in a vein that runs for about fifteen minutes. Dosage depends largely on the type of the cancer and how far it has progressed. The American Cancer Society warns that doxorubicin can be caustic to tissues, causing scarring and pain. Patients should be cautious while undergoing treatment and watch for possible leakage into the tissues surrounding the catheter's insertion site. Nausea and vomiting are common with doxorubicin, and physicians often prescribe antinausea medications, such as ondansetron, before treatments. Other side effects include mouth sores, hair loss and increased risk of bleeding.
Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil, or 5-FU, is an anti-metabolite drug that works by interfering with the genetic makeup of the cancer cells, preventing them from growing. Physicians prescribe the drug for anywhere from a five minute treatment to a continuous treatment given for up to four days. This drug can increase the patients' risk for infections, cause shortness of breath and increase risk of bleeding. Other common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, brittle nails, and darkening of skin and nail beds.
Cisplatin
Cisplatin is a platinum-compound drug that works by retarding the growth of the cancerous cells, causing them to die off. Cisplatin is administered through a catheter in the vein most often over the course of an hour, though it may be longer depending on the type of cancer. Physicians will give fluids during treatment to protect the kidneys as well as other medications to help quickly flush the medications out of the body to avoid kidney damage. Like, doxorubicin, leaking at the catheter site can cause permanent scarring and damage to surrounding tissues. Side effects can include nausea and vomiting, increased risk of infections, increased risk of bleeding, damage to nerves in the body resulting in tingling and numbness, possible loss of hearing and damage to the kidneys.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate is another commonly used anti-metabolite drug. Like fluorouracil, methotrexate interferes with the cancer cells' DNA, preventing them from creating new cancer cells. Methotrexate is taken as a pill or as a twenty minute infusion. In some cases, physicians will opt to inject the drug straight into the spinal cord fluid to kill the cells there. The pills may cause stomach upset, and physicians often prescribe an antacid or anti-nausea pill one hour before taking methotrexate. Side effects may include increased infections, increased bleeding, shortness of breath and kidney damage, according to the MayoClinic.com. Patients who have undergone radiation may notice skin irritation at the radiation site while taking methotrexate.
Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent, meaning that it stops the growth of cancer cells. Physicians may opt to give cyclophosphamide as a pill or infusion depending on the cancer and stage of the adenocarcinoma. One side effect of Cyclophosphamide is bleeding in the bladder. Patients taking methotrexate should drink a lot of fluids to lesson bladder problems. Patients should avoid taking this medication at night when they can't continuously drink fluids. Other side effects may include hair loss, mouth sores, diarrhea, infertility and increased risk of infection.
