ONCOLOGIC
PROTOCOL
AC-STAGE
IV
Adriamycin
& Cyclophosphamide
|
| MAJOR
INDICATIONS: TREATMENTS FOR STAGE IV BREAST
CANCER |
| IDENTIFICATION: Combination
chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and
doxorubicin (adriamycin); also called
"AC" |
| These
drugs have been approved by the FDA (Food and
Drug Administration) for the treatment of breast
cancer. |
| DOSES: Cyclophosphamide
600 mg/M2, Adriamycin 60 mg/M2 |
| ROUTE: Intravenously
(IV) |
| DURATION AND TIMING:
Given once every 21 days. Treatments are
generally continued if the drug keeps the breast
cancer from growing unless there are unacceptable
side effects. |
Possible Side
effects:
- Hematopoetic:
decrease in blood cells, especially white
cells (neutropenia) but also red cells
(anemia) and/or platelets
(thrombocytopenia).
- Gastrointestinal:
possible nausea and vomiting (which may
be decreased or prevented with
medications); diarrhea; mouth sores;
decreased appetite.
- Integmentary:
severe hair loss; dry skin, nail thinning
or ridging.
- Genitourinary:
cytoxan may cause irritation to the
kidneys or bladder.
- Fertility:
cytoxan may cause damage to the ovaries
of premenopausal women. This may lead to
temporary or permanent infertility.
Patients may also develop an early
menopause.
- Cardiovascular:
adriamycin may cause a weakening of the
heart muscle. In severe cases this may
result in congestive heart failure. This
may occur in less than 1% of patients
receiving standard doses.
- Neurological:
some patients complain of a decrease in
their ability to concentrate and/or
remember, which improves on completion of
therapy.
- Other:
some patients complain of taste changes
and/or lack of appetite.
|
