Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of anti-cancer drugs which work by preventing cancer cells from multiplying. In most cases, combinations of drugs are used in order to increase effectiveness. Chemotherapy may be used aggressively to shrink the tumor, or palliatively to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain.
Administration of chemotherapy may be via injection into a vein or muscle, as an oral medication or may sometimes be administered directly into the pleural or peritoneal cavity.Some of the most commonly used drugs include:
- Pemetrexed (Alimta)
- Cisplatin (Platinol)
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
- Mitomycin
- Raltitrexed (Tomudex)
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine)
New drugs are constantly being investigated by pharmaceutical companies, so you should always feel free to ask your doctor about the newest and most promising drugs. One such drug, Alimta (pemetrexed) was approved in Europe in September, 2005.
