Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferent Types of ChemoAlkylating AgentsAntimetabolitesAntitumor AntibioticsCorticosteroidsPlant AlkaloidsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Different Types of Chemo
Alkylating Agents
Antimetabolites
Antitumor Antibiotics
Corticosteroids
Plant Alkaloids
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several different types ofchemotherapy. Each one works differently to treat cancer. The type of chemo you receive will depend on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, and your overall health.
This article will describe the different types of chemotherapy, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, and others.
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Side Effects of Chemotherapy
There are several different types of chemotherapy, and your medical team may recommend one or more for your treatment.The type of chemo you receive will depend on your type of cancer, how advanced it is, and your overall health.
Alkylating agents are used to treat several types of cancer, includingbrain,lung,breast, andovarycancers. It may also be used to treatleukemia,lymphoma,Hodgkin disease,multiple myeloma, andsarcoma. Examples of commonly used alkylating agents include Myleran (busulfan), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), and Temodar (temozolomide).
Cancer Cells vs. Normal Cells: How Are They Different?
Nitrosoureas are a type of alkylating agent that is able to cross theblood-brain barrierand travel to the brain. This means they can treat certain types of brain cancer.
Side Effects
Alkylating agents damage the DNA in cells and can cause serious side effects. Alkylating agents affect the cells in the bone marrow, which work to make new cells. Because of this, a rare side effect of this type of chemotherapy is leukemia. However, the risk of developing leukemia is low with low doses of alkylating agents and goes up as the dosage increases.
Other possible side effects includeanemia, hair loss, absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), and damage to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract.
Antimetabolites are often used to treat cancers of the breast, ovary, intestinal tract, and leukemias. Examples of commonly used antimetabolites include 5-FU (5-fluorouracil), 6-MP (6-mercaptopurine), Xeloda (capecitabine), and Gemzar (gemcitabine).
Antimetabolites have several possible side effects, including:
More serious possible side effects include vision loss, seizures, confusion, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?
They can be used to treat several types of cancer. Examples of commonly used antitumor antibiotics include Cosmegen (dactinomycin), Bleo 15K (bleomycin), Cerubidine (daunorubicin), and Adriamycin (doxorubicin).
High doses of antitumor antibiotics can damage the heart. For this reason, there are lifetime limits placed on these drugs
Other possible side effects include:
Examples of commonly used corticosteroids in cancer treatment include prednisone, Medrol (methylprednisolone), and Decadron (dexamethasone).
Corticosteroids may cause mild or more serious side effects. Possible short-term side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, upset stomach, trouble sleeping, depression, and confusion. Possible long-term side effects include:
How to Reduce Prednisone Side Effects
Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Topoisomeraseinhibitors are plant alkaloids that interfere with topoisomerases, enzymes that help to separate parts of DNA so they can be replicated. By preventing the copying of DNA strands, topoisomerase inhibitors prevent cells from multiplying.
These types of drugs may be used to treat leukemia and cancers of the lung, ovaries, and gastrointestinal tract. Examples of commonly used topoisomerase inhibitors include Toposar (etoposide), Camptosar (irinotecan), and Hycamtin (topotecan).
Mitotic Inhibitors
Mitotic inhibitors are used to treat cancers of the lung and breast, as well as leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma. Examples of commonly used mitotic inhibitors include Taxotere (docetaxel), Halaven (eribulin), Ixempra (ixabepilone), paclitaxel, and Velban (vinblastine).
Plant alkaloids have several possible side effects. Topoisomerase inhibitors may lead to anemia, low neutrophils (neutropenia), low platelets (thrombocytopenia), diarrhea, and nausea.
Certain topoisomerase inhibitors have been linked to an increased risk for a type of cancer calledacute myeloid leukemia. This second cancer may develop about two to three years after treatment. Talk with your oncologist about your risk.
Mitotic inhibitors are more likely than other types of chemotherapy to cause nerve damage. Nerve damage may feel like numbness and tingling or pain.
If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with cancer, talk with your healthcare team about treatment options. Your team will be able to discuss the different types of chemotherapy and recommend the ones that are most likely to be effective for you.
Summary
There are several types of chemotherapy, and each one treats cancer differently. Many types of chemotherapy interrupt the cancer cell cycle, preventing the cells from growing and multiplying. The most common types of chemotherapy include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, corticosteroids, and plant alkaloids. Chemotherapy drugs have serious side effects as well.
A Word From Verywell
Receiving a cancer diagnosis has likely been one of the most stressful times in your life. Cancer treatment plans often feel complicated and overwhelming. Talk with your healthcare team about the different types of chemotherapy, and ask about which ones will be most effective against your type of cancer.
Frequently Asked QuestionsChemotherapy can be administered to the body through injection, intravenous (IV) injection, oral medication, or topical treatment.The strength of a chemotherapy drug is dose-specific. This means that the higher the dose, the stronger the drug’s effects will be in the body.
Chemotherapy can be administered to the body through injection, intravenous (IV) injection, oral medication, or topical treatment.
The strength of a chemotherapy drug is dose-specific. This means that the higher the dose, the stronger the drug’s effects will be in the body.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Types of chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.LiverTox.Alkylating agents.MedlinePlus.Methotrexate.MedlinePlus.Doxorubicin.Grennan D, Wang S.Steroid side effects.JAMA. 2019;322(3):282. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.8506LiverTox.Topoisomerase inhibitors.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Types of chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.LiverTox.Alkylating agents.MedlinePlus.Methotrexate.MedlinePlus.Doxorubicin.Grennan D, Wang S.Steroid side effects.JAMA. 2019;322(3):282. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.8506LiverTox.Topoisomerase inhibitors.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Types of chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.LiverTox.Alkylating agents.MedlinePlus.Methotrexate.MedlinePlus.Doxorubicin.Grennan D, Wang S.Steroid side effects.JAMA. 2019;322(3):282. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.8506LiverTox.Topoisomerase inhibitors.
MedlinePlus.Types of chemotherapy.
American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?
American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.
LiverTox.Alkylating agents.
MedlinePlus.Methotrexate.
MedlinePlus.Doxorubicin.
Grennan D, Wang S.Steroid side effects.JAMA. 2019;322(3):282. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.8506
LiverTox.Topoisomerase inhibitors.
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