Chemotherapy for melanoma skin cancer

Chemotherapy (chemotherapy) the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs are usually injected into a vein or orally one pill. Them through the blood to all parts of the body and attack the cancer has spread, lymph nodes and other organs of the skin travel. As the drug to reach all areas of the body, it is called a systemic treatment.

Often used in the treatment of advanced malignant melanoma chemotherapy. While generally not as effective in melanoma, as it is in some other types of cancer, chemotherapy can reduce symptoms or prolonged survival in some patients.

Doctors give chemotherapy cycle, each time after treatment of rest to allow the body time to recover. Each chemotherapy cycle usually lasts for several weeks.

Some chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of melanoma:

• Dacarbazine (also called DTIC)
• Temozolomide
• Taxol
• Carmustine (BCNU also known as)
• Cisplatin
• Carboplatin
• Vinblastine

Dacarbazine, temozolomide, paclitaxel on the list with some other drugs, either alone or along. It is not clear if the pharmaceutical composition is used to help than using a single drug, but it can be added to the side effects.

Some studies show that immunotherapy drugs as α-interferon and / or interleukin-2 (see "melanoma skin cancer immune therapy") a combination of chemotherapy drugs may be more than a single chemotherapy drug alone more effective, although it is not clear if this will help people live longer. This type of treatment is also known as bio-chemotherapy or immunotherapy chemical.

Isolated limb perfusion: This is a type of chemotherapy is sometimes used to treat advanced melanoma only an arm or leg. In the surgical procedure is completed. Separated from the rest of the body of the arm or leg blood flow, high doses of chemotherapy cycle time by a short limbs.

To do this, the feed tube is placed into the arterial blood into the limb, venous blood from the sewer it is placed into a second tube. The tube is connected to a special machine. Limb tourniquet strapped to ensure chemotherapy does not enter the rest of the body. The blood in the limbs of high-dose chemotherapy and then injected (often referred to as melphalan and drugs). During the session, the blood in the vein through the tube outlet body, by a machine for heating, in the operating room, and then recycled back into the body through the tube in the arteries. By the end of the treatment drug is completely out of the body wash, the tube is removed to restore the normal blood circulation.

Isolated limb perfusion allows doctors to the region of the tumor is not exposed to high doses of an internal organ doses, otherwise it will lead to serious side effects.

Possible side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly dividing cells, which is why they work against cancer cells. However, other cells in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and intestinal tract, and hair follicle, rapidly dividing. These cells may also be affected by chemotherapy, which may cause side effects.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of the drug given and the length of time they are taking. These side effects may include:

• Alopecia
• Oral ulcers
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased risk of infection (too few white blood cells)
• Easy bruising or bleeding (too few platelets)
• Fatigue (too few red blood cells)

These side effects are usually short-term, to the end of the first treatment. Some drugs may have specific effects listed above, it is sure to talk about what you might think of the side effects of cancer treatment team.

Often there are ways to reduce the side effects. For example, you may be given medication to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse to help reduce the side effects of the drug.

You should report you notice any side effects, while access to your medical team so that they can be treated promptly chemotherapy. Dose of chemotherapy drugs, in some cases, it may need to be reduced or the treatment may need to be delayed or stopped to prevent the continued deterioration effects.