High-dose chemotherapy
Overview of high-dose chemotherapy in cancer treatment
High-dose chemotherapy[edit | edit source]
High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) is a form of cancer treatment that involves administering higher than standard doses of chemotherapy drugs. The primary goal of HDC is to eradicate cancer cells more effectively by using increased concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents. This approach is often used in conjunction with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to restore the bone marrow function that is compromised by the high doses of chemotherapy.
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of cancer cells. High-dose chemotherapy amplifies this effect by increasing the concentration of drugs, thereby enhancing their ability to kill cancer cells. However, this also increases the risk of damage to normal, healthy cells, particularly those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles.
Applications[edit | edit source]
High-dose chemotherapy is primarily used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including:
The use of HDC is often followed by a stem cell transplant, which helps to replenish the bone marrow cells destroyed by the chemotherapy.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The process of administering high-dose chemotherapy typically involves several steps:
1. Preparation: Patients undergo a series of tests to ensure they are fit for the treatment. 2. Stem cell collection: Before chemotherapy, stem cells are collected from the patient or a donor. 3. Chemotherapy administration: High doses of chemotherapy drugs are administered, usually over a period of several days. 4. Stem cell transplant: After chemotherapy, the collected stem cells are infused back into the patient to aid in the recovery of the bone marrow.
Side effects[edit | edit source]
The side effects of high-dose chemotherapy can be more severe than those of standard chemotherapy due to the higher drug concentrations. Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue
- Infections due to low white blood cell counts
- Hair loss
Recovery and prognosis[edit | edit source]
Recovery from high-dose chemotherapy can be challenging and requires careful monitoring and supportive care. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, and how well the cancer responds to treatment.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD