Quimioterapia

Administering Rituxan in R-CHOP Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I've recently started a job administering chemotherapy [to cancer patients]. Does it matter in what order R-CHOP (R= Rituxan, CHOP = chemotherapy regimen of Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine, and Prednisone)...
Aprepitant (Emend®) for Ablative Regimens Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Have there been any studies done on the efficacy of Emend for use in ablative chemotherapy? If not what is your recommendation for combating nausea from an 8- day regimen of Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide? Michael...
Arimidex and Insomnia Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My niece has just completed a five year course of Arimidex. She is now experiencing extreme difficulty sleeping, getting to sleep, and staying asleep. Are there any indications from other women that this is a side...
Arthritis and Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I'm a 26-year-old female diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Nodular Sclerosis type, stage IIIB) in March of 2006, and have been receiving 6 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy. I've been experiencing a lot of bone pain, and...
Avastin Before or After Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Is there a therapeutic advantage to giving Avastin first or last in a regimen? Bruce Giantonio, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Hematology-Oncology Division at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:I am...
BCG Therapy Safety Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I want to visit my mother, but her husband is undergoing BCG Vaccine treatment for bladder cancer. They are 87 and 85 years old, and do not use the best hygiene measures. I am concerned about my own health, as a...
BCG Therapy Safety Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I want to visit my mother, but her husband is undergoing BCG Vaccine treatment for bladder cancer. They are 87 and 85 years old, and do not use the best hygiene measures. I am concerned about my own health, as a...
Birth Defects While on Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," concern is about the likelihood of my getting pregnant while he's on chemo. We are certainly not planning on it, and I have been on the [oral contraceptive] pill for 10 years, but what are the chances we would have an...
Chemo-Brain Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," What treatments are available for chemo-brain? My doctor does not believe it is real, and I don’t know where to turn for help.Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds: Many survivors who...
Chemotherapy and diabetic patients Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have a friend just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is a childhood diabetic. How does chemotherapy effect diabetic patients? Christina S. Chu, MD, Assistant Professor of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology...
Chemotherapy and osteoporosis Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I had lung cancer in my left lung in 1987, and was treated with chemo and radiation for a year. I recovered and am doing great. I have been wondering: I thought I had heard that all the chemo and radiation can age...
Chemotherapy Exposure During Pregnancy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am an oncology nurse in Seattle and am 21 weeks pregnant. I recently had a skin exposure to 5FU and was wondering about the implications of that. It was approx 5ccs and I washed the affected area well within 5...
Clean House while on Cancer Treatment Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," This may seem like an odd question. My mom is about to start chemotherapy for stage II breast cancer. The question is, will the condition/cleanliness of my mom's home impact her health during treatment? Mom has...
Coloring Hair After Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My hair is starting to grow back after chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I finished radiation a month ago and want to color my hair. Is that okay? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator,...
Combretastatin I saw the TV news about Combretastatin. Can you tell me how this drug works? Bradley Somer, MD, OncoLink Editorial Assistant, responds: Combretastatin (A4 Prodrug) is a newly developed anti-angiogenesis drug. In the...
Combretastatin Clinical Trials Dear OncoLink: Through the electronic media I became aware of clinical trials being conducted on a promising cancer drug called combretastatin. I would like to volunteer for your clinical testing program. I am currently being...
CPT-11 (Irinotecan) and Radiation Side Effects Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," Does radiation in the pelvic area prevent the use of CPT-11? My wife is a stage 4 cancer patient and has received FUDR, FUDR and Leucovorin, then FUDR, Leucovorin and Gemzar®. She was allergic to the...
Crushing Chemotherapy Pills Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I had a gastric bypass banding a few years ago. I now have colon cancer and am scheduled to start chemotherapy with Xeloda, an oral chemotherapy. I have a lot of trouble swallowing pills since the banding. Can I crush...
Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) Deficiency Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," A family member was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. One of the chemotherapy treatments mentioned was Fluorouracil. We've read that if a person is DPD-deficient, the side effects could be severe, including...
Does chemotherapy make you toxic? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am receiving chemotherapy and some of my friends are avoiding me because they say I am toxic. Is that true? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical Correspondent, responds:You cannot get toxic from...
Dose Dense Chemotherapy for Lymphoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have heard that giving CHOP chemotherapy every 2 weeks may be more effective than every 3 weeks (the standard). Can you provide any details? Babis (Charalambos) Andreadis, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine in the...
ESHAP Regimen Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My question is about the ESHAP protocol for lymphoma. The most descriptive protocol I've been able to find states to run cisplatin for 4 days with concurrent doses of etoposide during that time. I have oncology...
Exposure to Children While Having Cancer Treatment Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. There is a 2 yr old child in the household, and I was wondering if her chemotherapy and radiation treatments will have any effect on the child being in...
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke during chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have a friend who is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer following a mastectomy. I have a problem with her family's continued smoking in the home and car with her. I have been looking for some research that I...
Fertility During Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can a patient receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer get pregnant?Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds:A woman receiving treatment for breast cancer who was not menopausal (in other...
Flu Shots While on Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My wife has metastasis in the bones after she had breast cancer. Now she is taking Xeloda. I would like to know if she can have a flu injection while taking Xeloda?Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical...
Hand Foot Syndrome Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am beginning Doxil chemotherapy this month for an ovarian cancer recurrence. Do you recommend Amifostine, B6, or Vitamin E to minimize the hand/foot syndrome? Christina S. Chu, MD, Assistant Professor of the...
Heart Damage and Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father was recently diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in the lining of the lung. It was suggested that he undergo chemo therapy treatment with Doxil®. He's an older man with a heart condition, and based on what I...
Hypoglycemia on AIs Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I completed taxotere, carboplatin, and Herceptin chemotherapy in October. I started just Herceptin in October and Arimidex in November. I am an insulin-dependent diabetic; I wear an insulin pump. I have been...
Improving white blood cell count during chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My wife has had surgery for Colon cancer and a Liver resection. Now the cancer has spread to her lungs. She has begun a new treatment, given through a porta-cath, with 5-FU and irinotecan. Blood tests showed very low...
Is grapefruit contraindicated during chemotherapy? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am wondering if you clear up the mystery surrounding the contraindicated use of grapefruit/and or juice during chemotherapy? Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center of the...
Leucovorin My sister is 49 years old and has breast cancer. She underwent quadrantectomy and they found cancer cells in three lymph nodes. She is scheduled for chemotherapy and then radiation. Someone in her support group referred to a drug called a...
Long-Term Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments Dear Editors, I have been to many, web sites and libraries. I am not having any luck. I hope I will find my answer with you! I have had breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy & radiation therapy. I am trying to...
Losing Fingernails After Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My sister has just finished all her chemotherapy and radiation treatments for breast cancer. Her fingernails are turning dark and separating from the bed. Is there anything she can do to help this situation? Will any...
Male Sterility from Gleevec Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My 27 year-old son was recently diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). He is starting on the chemo drug Gleevec. What chance is there that would cause him sterility? Michael Vozniak, PharmD, BCOP,...
Medications that Interact with Tamoxifen Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have heard that anti-depressant medications interfere with tamoxifen. Are there any other medications- particularly over the counter meds that should be avoided as well? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's...
Metallic taste after chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," The most difficult side effect of chemotherapy so far has been the metallic taste in my mouth. Nothing seems to help do you have any ideas? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical Correspondent,...
Number of Chemotherapy Cycles Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with colon cancer and am receiving Folfox chemotherapy. How many cycles of chemotherapy will I get? Gloria DiLullo, MSN, CRNP, OncoLink Medical Oncology Educational Content Specialist,...
ONJ and Dental Procedures Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am on Zometa and need to have a crown done. Is this ok to do considering the concern of ONJ?Kendra Schaefer, DMD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Prosthodontics...
Order of Chemotherapy Administration Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am a 4th-year pharmacy student working on a project for a chemotherapy pharmacist. We are looking for a chart that shows [in] what order chemotherapy agents should be administered. Do you have any advice/resources...
Predict Response to Chemotherapy? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer in Nov. 2005. I had a hysterectomy and tumor debulking at that time. I have most recently been on IV Taxol and Carboplatin chemotherapy, and have responded best to this...
Pregnancy While on Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My sister is two months pregnant, and conceived about one month after her husband had chemotherapy for testicular cancer. He had the affected testicle removed and has only had one chemotherapy treatment with...
Pregnant Women Exposure to People Undergoing Therapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am 16 weeks pregnant and taking care of my mother who is being treated for pancreatic cancer. She will begin chemotherapy in a few weeks. Are there any risks for me or the baby to be around this situation? Carolyn...
Rash related to Erbitux Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," What recommendations do you have for treating skin rash associated with Erbitux? Beth Eaby, MSN, CRNP, OCN, Bboard certified nurse practitioner and nationally certified oncology nurse, responds:Skin rash from Erbitux...
Recurrent or metastatic melanoma treatment options Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am a nurse taking care of an MS patient who has a recurrent melanoma on the side of her face. She was treated with Thalidomide and it was stopped because she could not tolerate it. The oncologist's next step will be...
Reimmunization after Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My daughter is almost 16 years old. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma with spine metastases. She has 5 sessions of local radiotherapy and will finish her 6th cycle (12th session) of chemotherapy shortly. I...
Rituxan Hello, My wife was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in October and has just recently completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy. She has one more of four treatments with an experimental drug, Rituxan left. Can I get some...
Rituxan Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I have a question regarding Rituxan. I am having difficulty finding information on this therapy. My father has non-Hodgkins lymphoma which was diagnosed in April of 1998. C.H.O.P. chemotherapy regimen was...
Safe handling of bodily fluids after cancer therapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," After chemotherapy treatment, are there recommendations for safe handling of patient secretions, urine, etc after the patient returns home? Thanks.Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator,...
Safe handling of bodily fluids after chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," After chemotherapy treatment, are there recommendations for safe handling of patient secretions, urine, etc for when they return home? Thanks. Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical Correspondent,...
Sexual Activity During Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with colon cancer and am receiving Folfox chemotherapy. Can I have sexual relations with my wife? She is avoiding me with fear [of causing harm to me or herself]. What are the restrictions on...
Taking AIs Beyond 5 Years Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," After bilateral mastectomies had chemo and radiation and then 3 years of Tamoxifen and will complete 5 years of Armidex in April. My oncologist says he will take me off Arimidex at that time although I am doing well...
Topical Chemotherapy Precautions Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Recently I was treated to eradicate an intraepithelial lesion, grade I, by means of a LEEP procedure. Now I've been through two sessions of local chemotherapy (cream) in the vagina. The doctor says that because of the...
Topotecan Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I would appreciate it if you could send me any information that you might have to help me to decide about whether or not I should take Topotecan. I have AML and ALL acute leukemia. I am currently taking...
Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy I would like to know if there is any hope/help for peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy (taxol and carboplatin)? I have experienced significant loss of feeling and sensitivity in both my feet and now tips of fingers; accompanied by...