FCM (chemotherapy)

FCM is a chemotherapy regimen for treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is an acronym for three different drugs that are combined together for the treatment: fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone.

Indications

FCM chemotherapy is primarily used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. It is particularly effective in treating follicular lymphoma, a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Components

The FCM regimen consists of three drugs:

• Fludarabine: A chemotherapy drug that interferes with the synthesis of DNA and RNA, thereby preventing cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

• Cyclophosphamide: An alkylating agent that prevents cancer cells from dividing and growing.

• Mitoxantrone: An anthracenedione that interferes with the enzymes involved in DNA repair, thereby causing DNA damage and cell death.

Side Effects

Like all chemotherapy regimens, FCM can cause a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. It can also cause more serious side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, which can lead to an increased risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding.

See Also

• Chemotherapy
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Fludarabine
• Cyclophosphamide
• Mitoxantrone