emotherapy with or without hormone therapy is most commonFor in situ cancers, hormone therapy is most commonDrugs used for chemotherapy are cytotoxic they act by destroying cells. Cancer cells are much more sensitive to their effects than regular cells, although some normal cells die as well.Dosage is tailored for minimizing side effects and maximizing curative effects.Most chemotherapy is completed within three to six months. Hormone treatment can last up to five years.A combination of drugs is required, no single drug is effective.There are four types of drugs: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, natural products, and hormonesChapter 11IIITwoHTamoxifen, a hormone-like substance of the SERM family, binds to estrogen receptors on cancer cells, interferes with cellular functions and eventually destroys them.TwoHConflicting opinions exist over the optimal length of time a patient should continue tamoxifen treatment.TwoHMost patients with breast tumors who are estrogen and progesterone receptor positive will respond to tamoxifen therapy.TwoHMajor tamoxifen side effects include cancer in the uterus and higher risks of stomach and colon cancer development. Tamoxifen causes greater bone loss in pre-menopausal women as well as the development of early on-set menopause.TwoHMinor tamoxifen side effects include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mild weight gain, and depression.IIITwoHEvista, a newly released hormone-like substance of the SERM family is being reviewed for its breast cancer treatment potential.Hormone therapy may produce increased sweating, chilliness, and hot flashes.The side effects of chemotherapy-are usually transitory-some side effects are acute right after treatment, but soon go away-There is no way to avoid the side effects of chemotherapy completely, though they can be alleviated-There is no pain resulting from chemotherapy-Nausea - most drugs do not cause immediate nausea. Some nausea can result from acid secretion, but are ...
