ONCOLOGIC
PROTOCOL
FAC
Cyclophosphamide
& Adriamycin & 5-Florouracil
|
| MAJOR
INDICATIONS: TREATMENT FOR STAGE I, II & III
(A&B) BREAST CANCERS |
| IDENTIFICATION:
Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan), doxorubicin (adriamycin) and
florouracil (5FU); also called "FAC". |
| These
drugs have been approved by the FDA (Food and
Drug Administration) for the treatment of breast
cancer. |
| DOSES: Cyclophosphamide
500 mg/M2, Adriamycin 50 mg/M2, Florouracil 500
mg/M2 |
| ROUTE: Intravenously
(IV) |
| DURATION AND TIMING:
5FU is given on the first and fifth day.
Adriamycin is given either in a single dose on
the first day or by continuous iv infusion over
the first 3 days. Cytoxan is given the first day.
Treatment is repeated every 3-4 weeks for 6
treatments (6 months). |
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:
moderate to 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:
5FU has caused rare instances of
irregular heart beats or chest discomfort
(risk is increased in those with
underlying heart disease). Adriamycin may
cause weakening of the heart muscle. This
may result in congestive heart failure
(this occurs in less than 1% of patients
treated with 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.
|
