Doctors and scientists constantly study to find better ways to cure cancer. Besides trying to create new drugs, they also look for the best way of using existing drugs. From years of research, they have developed a variety of effective mouth cancer medication.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to disrupt the growth of and destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs circulate through the body in the bloodstream. This therapy is usually used in several different situations. Chemo combined with radiation therapy, chemoradiotherapy, can be used as the main treatment instead of surgery. This therapy might succeed for small mouth cancers. It can also be used if cancer has spread into surrounding areas or lymph nodes. Though rare, sometimes chemotherapy is suggested by the doctor before surgery to shrink cancer. More research is necessary to see if it works for mouth cancer.
So, what are the most common chemotherapy drugs for mouth cancer medication? Many chemo drugs treat cancer up to date. They could be used alone or combined with other types of drugs or treatments. These drugs have different chemical compositions and side effects. Six of the widely used chemo drugs for mouth cancer medication are listed below:
1. Cisplatin.
Cisplatin is one of the most common chemotherapy drugs used to treat many types of cancer. Depending on your cancer type, your doctor may prescribe Cisplatin every 3 or 4 weeks. It could also be given once a week as well. Side effects: fatigue and feeling weak for a few days, looking pale, bleeding gums, and nosebleed.
How you have it: through a drip into your bloodstream.
2. Fluorouracil.
Fluorouracil is a very effective drug for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer. Cancer cells need to create and fix DNA for them to grow and multiply, and Fluorouracil stops this process. Side effects include: loss of appetite, feeling tired for a few days after the treatment, diarrhea, hair loss.
How you have it: through a drip into your bloodstream.
3. Carboplatin.
This drug treats various types of cancer. You can have Carboplatin once every 3 or 4 weeks, depending on your treatment cycle. Side effects: weakness and fatigue during and after treatment, abdominal pain, possible damage to the kidney and liver. It may also cause a hearing problem.
How you have it: through a drip into your bloodstream
4. (Maxtrex).
is one of the treatment options to cure mouth and oropharyngeal cancer.
How you have it: by an injection into your bloodstream or muscle or spinal fluid. It is also available in a tablet that you could take orally.
5. Docetaxel.
Because this drug can cause an allergic reaction, your doctor will prescribe a steroid tablet to take simultaneously. Side effects: hair loss, skin rash, sore mouth, diarrhea, feeling tired and weak.
How you have it: through a drip into your bloodstream
6. Bleomycin.
When taking this drug, side effects to expect are a sore mouth, pain and swelling at the injection spot, lung inflammation, loss of appetite, hair loss, increased risk of chest infections.
How you have it: through a drip into your bloodstream, injection into a muscle, direct injection into the tumour, intracavity injection.
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