Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Medications used in chemotherapy treatment weaken and destroy cancerous cells present in the body, including cells at the cancer site and other areas if cancer has metastasised. A number of medicines can be used under chemotherapy treatment and usually, combination of two or three is used. Doctors opt for chemotherapy in the following conditions:

• Early-stage of metastasised breast cancer
• Advanced-stage breast cancer to completely destroy the cancerous cells curbing their chance of recurrence.
• Few patients receive chemotherapy after surgery to damage the 'leftover' cancer cells or before surgery to reduce the size of cancerous tissue.

Before opting for chemotherapy, one needs to learn about its different aspects, such as how it works, medicines used in this treatment, its side effects and  what to expect after the treatment.

How Chemotherapy Works? Combination of chemotherapy medications means that a patient is getting two or three different medicines at the same time. These combinations are called chemotherapy regimens. At early-stage of breast cancer, chemotherapy regimens reduce possibilities of cancer spreading and its recurrence. At advanced stage, chemotherapy regimens are known to shrink the cancerous mass in almost 30-60 per cent patients who take chemotherapy. However, effect of chemotherapy can vary from  patient to patient. Some of the medicines used in Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

• Abraxane
• Adriamycin
• Carboplatin
• Cytoxan
• Daunorubicin
• Doxil
• Ellence
• Fluorouracil (also called 5-fluorouracil or 5-FU)
• Mitomycin
• Mitoxantrone
• Navelbine
• Taxol
• Taxotere
• Thiotepa
• Xeloda

Standard Chemotherapy Regimens include:

• Adriamycin and Taxotere
• Adriamycin and Cytoxan, with or without Taxol or Taxotere
• Cytoxan, methotrexate, and fluorouracil
• Cytoxan, Ellence, and fluorouracil
• Fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and Cytoxan
• Cytoxan, Adriamycin, and fluorouracil
• Taxotere, Adriamycin, and Cytoxan
• Gemzar, Ellence, and Taxol

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

• Mouth sores.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fatigue.
• Diarrhoea.
• Fever.
• Hair loss.
• Appetite changes.
• Memory changes.
• Urination changes.
• Fertility changes in women.
• Constipation. 
• Anaemia.

Things to do before getting Chemotherapy

• Have a complete dental check up.
• Get all tests, such as cardio tests if your doctor recommends.
• Ask your doctor about what you can and can't eat or drink before beginning the treatment.
• Talk to your doctor about hair loss.
• Inform your doctor in advance if you are taking any vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
• Join a breast cancer support group to keep your spirits high during the treatment.