Cervical Cancer - Treatment for Invasive Cervical Cancer

Other Agents. Other drugs, mostly used in combinations, have also been investigated with some promise. They include with epirubicin, irinotecan, paclitaxel, bleomycin, mitomycin, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, and doxifluridine.

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Administration. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth oras an injection. This may be done at a medical center, doctor's office, or even a patient's home. Some patients receiving chemotherapy may need to remain in the hospital for several days so the effects of the drugs can be monitored. The drugs are often given in cycles with a period of rest following a period of treatment in order to allow a recovery from the side effects.

Side Effects. Chemotherapy affects all fast-growing cells, including healthy ones.So, side effects are inevitable. Side effects occur with all chemotherapeutic drugs. They are more severe with higher doses and increase over the course of treatment.

Common side effects include the following:

Nausea and vomiting. Drugs known as serotonin antagonists, especially ondansetron (Zofran), can relieve these side effects in nearly all patients given moderate drugs and in most patients who take more powerful drugs. In one study, a combination of dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) with ondansetron taken within 24 hours of chemotherapy results ina major or complete reduction in nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Temporary hair loss.
Weight loss.
Fatigue.
Anemia.
Depression.

Complications. Serious short- and long-term complications can also occur and may vary depending on the specific agents used. They include:

Increased chance for infection. Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system.
Severe drop in white blood cell count (neutropenia). Certain agents, such as taxanes, pose a higher risk for this than other chemotherapeutic drugs. White blood cell count may be improved with the addition of a type of drug called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (either filgrastim and lenograstim).
Liver and kidney damage.
Abnormal blood clotting (thrombocytopenia).
Allergic reaction, particularly to platinum-based agents. (A simple skin test in under investigation that may identify people with a potential allergic response.)
Menstrual abnormalities. Theseare common. Premature menopause occurs in about 30% of women, particularly in those over 40.
Secondary cancers such as leukemia (rare).
Problems in concentration, motor function, and memory, which may be long-term. Between a quarter and a third of women report such problems. This may be due to a drop in estrogen levelsafter treatments.