Doxil Chemotherapy

The Side Effects of Doxil Chemotherapy

No one likes to hear the dreaded words, "You have Cancer." In fact, the very fear of the unknown keeps many people from seeing their Physicians on a regular basis, therefore not detecting Cancer in the early stages. Most Cancer patients are given Chemotherapy and/or Radiation. Duration and medications used are based on the type of Cancer and the severity. Many people don't know that there are several different Chemotherapy drugs that can be used for treatment. One such drug is Doxil Chemotherapy.

Doxil is used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other solid tumors. It is given through IV and the amount of Doxil that you will be given depends on many factors such as height, weight, general health, and the type of cancer that you have. Your doctor will determine your dosage and schedule of treatments.

Doxil Chemotherapy is a chemical drug that can cause irritation or inflammation in the vein where the drug is injected. If Doxil leaks from the vein it can cause tissue damage. Special training must be given to the Nurses and Doctors that give Doxil to prevent this from happening. To avoid tissue damage, if you experience pain, redness or swelling at the IV site, you need to let your health care professional know immediately. 

Cancer drugs are notorious for their unpleasant side-effects. Some patients experience certain symptoms only during the time of infusion. Some of those symptoms can include: flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, back pain, tightness in the chest and throat and/or low blood pressure.  These symptoms usually happen in less than 10% of all patients. Doctors and Nurses are aware of these infusion symptoms and usually give the first infusion at a slow rate to avoid the risk of these reactions.

Other side-effects of Doxil Chemotherapy can include: low blood counts, peeling, redness or pain of the skin on the hands and feet,  mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, weakness, hair loss, constipation, poor appetite, diarrhea, discoloration of the urine (red/orange color) for about 48 hours after treatment, darkening of the skin at the site of previous radiation therapy, and darkening of the nail beds. Most people do not experience all of these symptoms, and these symptoms may come and go during the course of your treatment. 

In addition to the regular side-effects, a serious but uncommon side effect of Doxil Chemotherapy can be interference with the pumping action of the heart. As long as your heart continues to work properly you can continue treatment. Long term side-effects can also include an increased risk of developing a blood cancer such as leukemia years after taking drugs similar to Doxil. If you are concerned about these unusual side-effects, you should consult your Doctor.  

It is best to inform your Doctor of all of your side-effects, because if needed your Doctor can reduce your dosage or frequency of treatment so that you are a little more comfortable. All possible side-effects are not listed above, so if you experience something unusual that is not mentioned, please inform your Doctor immediately. Even though Doxil Chemotherapy and other drugs like it give some uncomfortable side-effects, we are still glad that we have access to them so that people who are affected by Cancer can beat the disease and continue to live long and happy lives.