Chemotherapy is usually given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancers with drugs.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is systemically inserted into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is administered through an intravena tube (IV) placed into a vein using a needle.
This may help patients with resistant, advanced stage prostate cancer. A chemotherapy regimen usually consists of a certain number of cycles administered over a given period of time.
There are some standard drugs used for prostate cancer. In general, standard chemotherapy begins with docetaxel combined with a steroid known as prednisone.
Prostate cancer treatment with prednisone chemotherapy procedures has been shown to help patients with advanced prostate cancer live longer than other chemotherapy drugs such as mitoxantrone (Novantrone).
Mitoxantrone is one of the first chemotherapy approved for metastatic or resistant prostate cancer although it is not generally used. Mitoxantrone is useful for controlling the pain of cancer that sometimes appears in certain situations.
The FDA has also approved other drugs, such as cabazitaxel (Jevtana), based on studies that show increased survival when compared with mitoxantrone for patients with developing disease after docetaxel. Cabazitaxel is currently compared with docetaxel in clinical trials, but the results are still delayed.
Side effects of chemotherapy
In general, the side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual, the type of chemotherapy received, the dose used, and the duration of treatment.
Side effects of chemotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer such as fatigue, mouth and throat wounds, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, constipation, blood disorders, nervous system effects, changes in thinking and memory, sexual and reproductive problems, loss of appetite, And hair loss.
Side effects of chemotherapy usually disappear after treatment is complete. However, some side effects may continue, return, or develop later.
Ask your doctor about any side effects you may experience, based on your treatment plan. Your health care team will work with you to manage or prevent many of these side effects.
Reference : http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/treatment-options
