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Systemic chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected
into a vein or given by mouth. These drugs enter the bloodstream and
reach all areas of the body, making this treatment potentially useful
for cancers that have spread to distant organs (metastasized).
Drugs most often used to treat cervical cancer include
cisplatin, paclitaxel (Taxol®),
topotecan, ifosfamide, and fluorouracil (5-FU). If chemotherapy is
chosen, you may receive a combination of drugs. Chemotherapy drugs kill
cancer cells but also damage some normal cells, which can lead to side
effects.
Chemotherapy side effects depend on the type of drugs, the
amount taken, and the length of time you are treated. Temporary side
effects of chemotherapy might include:
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- loss of hair
- mouth sores
Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of
the bone marrow, the blood cell counts might become low. This can
result in:
- an increased chance of infection (from a shortage of white
blood cells)
- bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (because
of a shortage of blood platelets)
- shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts)
Fatigue is also quite common and may be caused by low red
blood cell counts, by other reasons related to the chemotherapy, or by
the cancer itself.
Most side effects of chemotherapy (except premature menopause
and infertility) disappear once treatment is stopped. Hair will grow
back after treatment ends. Premature menopause can be treated with
hormones.
If you have problems with side effects, talk with your cancer
care team. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of
chemotherapy. For example, there are very good drugs that can prevent
or reduce nausea and vomiting. Other drugs can be given to boost blood
cell production.
For some stages of cervical cancer, chemotherapy is given to
help the radiation work better. When chemotherapy and radiation therapy
are given together, it is called concurrent
chemoradiation. One option is to give a dose of cisplatin every week
during radiation. This drug is given into a vein (IV) about 4 hours
before the radiation appointment. Another choice is to give cisplatin
along with fluorouracil (5-FU) every 4 weeks during radiation. Other
drug combinations are also used. Giving chemotherapy with radiation can
improve the patient’s outlook, but giving the 2 together also
tends to have worse side effects. The nausea and fatigue are often
worse. Diarrhea can also be a problem if chemotherapy is given at the
same time as radiation. Problems with low blood counts can also be
worse. Your health care team will watch for side effects and can give
you medicines to help you feel better.
Last Medical Review: 09/14/2009
Last Revised: 01/19/2010
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