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Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a
vein, injected into a muscle, or taken by mouth. Chemotherapy is
systemic therapy, which means that the drug enters the bloodstream and
circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and
destroy the cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is seldom helpful for most types of thyroid
cancer. It is combined with external beam radiation therapy for
anaplastic thyroid cancer and is sometimes used for other advanced
cancers that are no longer responding to other treatments.
Possible side effects
Chemotherapy drugs work by attacking cells that are dividing
quickly, which is why they work against cancer cells. But other cells
in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth
and intestines, and the hair follicles, also divide quickly. These
cells are also likely to be affected by chemotherapy, which can lead to
side effects.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose
of drugs given and the length of time they are taken. Specific
chemotherapy agents may have other specific side effects that require
monitoring. For example, doxorubicin the most common chemotherapy used
in thyroid cancer, can decrease heart function. Therefore a patient
taking doxorubicin will have follow-up exams that include regular heart
function tests like echocardiograms. Some general side effects can
include:
- hair loss
- mouth sores
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- increased chance of infections (due to low white
blood cell counts)
- easy bruising or bleeding (due to low blood
platelet counts)
- fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts)
These side effects are usually short-term and go away after
treatment is finished. There are often ways to lessen these side
effects. For example, drugs can be given to help prevent or reduce
nausea and vomiting.
For more information about chemotherapy, see the American
Cancer Society document, Understanding Chemotherapy: A
Guide for
Patients and Families.
Last Medical Review: 04/28/2009
Last Revised: 05/14/2009
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