CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy - Abbreviation: CHEMO Definition: Treatment with drugs that have a specific
toxic efect upon the cancer, usually interfering with cell reproduction. Most
are given by IV but oral drugs may be added.

My Chemo of choice is called (ABVD) it is a combination of four different drugs.

Number of treatments I have: 4 cycles (8 individual treatments once every two weeks for total of 4 months) 1 Cycle= 2 treatments. Method IV. Lenght of treatment 5-6 hours each. Treatment is differnet for each person and stage. Usually ranging from 3 cycles up as many as 8 or more cycles in later stages of disease.

-Adriamycin (Doxorubicin, Rubex)

Common Side Effects:
* temporary blood count changes
* nasuea or vomiting
* hair loss
* pink/red urine for 24 to 48 hrs
* sore mouth and gums

Uncommon Side Effects:
* changes in heart muscle
* darkening of soles and palms
* changes in nails
* fertility changes
* redness of skin

- Bleomycin (Blenoxane)

Common Side Effects
* changes in blood count
* fever and chills
* skin changes
* sore mouth or gums
* hair loss
* nausea
* decreased appetite
* Fatigue

Uncommon Side Effects
* changes in lung function
* pain at tumor site
* allergic reaction

- Velban (Vinblastine)

Common Side effects
* nausea or vomiting
* blood count changes
* jaw pain
* hair loss
* reflex loss
* sore mouth gums
* tingling toes and fingers
* changes appetite

Uncommon Side Effects
* low sodium in blood
* increased urination

-Dacarbazine (DTIC, Dome)

Common Side Effects
* nausea or vomiting
* blood count changes
* loss of appetite
* metallic taste
* flu-like symptoms
* hair loss
* pain at injection site

Uncommon Side Effects
* diarrhea
* allergic reaction
* change in liver
* facial flushing
* sensitivity to light
* constipation
* drowsiness
* increased thirst