| ONCOLOGIC
PROTOCOL Classical
CMF-STAGE IV
Cyclophosphamide
& Methotrexate & 5-Florouracil
|
| MAJOR
INDICATIONS: TREATMENTS FOR STAGE IV BREAST
CANCER |
| IDENTIFICATION:
Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan), methotrexate and florouracil (5FU);
also called "Classical CMF". |
| These
drugs have been approved by the FDA (Food and
Drug Administration) for the treatment of breast
cancer. |
| DOSES: Cyclophosphamide
100 mg/M2, Methotrexate 40 mg/M2, Florouracil 600
mg/M2 |
| ROUTE: Intravenous (IV)
methotrexate and 5FU. Oral cytoxan |
| DURATION AND TIMING:
Cytoxan is given for 14 days in a row orally;
methotrexate and 5FU are given the first day and
repeated one week later. The treatments are
repeated every 28 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:
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:
rare instances of irregular heart beats
or chest discomfort have been attributed
to 5FU (risk is increased in those with
underlying heart disease).
- 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.
|
