Overview of Chemotherapy

Update 2

Treatment aim	Neoadjuvant Treatment(CT or RT) given before a definitive treatment (surgery or RT) to facilitate the procedure (i.e downsize tumor for normal tissue sparing during definite treatment) and/or improve chances of cure Curative Chemotherapy given as the definitive treatment for cure Adjuvant Treatment given after a definitive treatment (surgery or RT) with the aim of increasing the chances of cure by killing any microscopic disease. Palliative Treatment  given to alleviate symptoms hence improve the quality of life and prolong life if possible
Dose intensity	Defines as total amount of drug delivered to the patient over a week. i.e CT given 3 weekly but intensity reflects the actual average dose per week. Maintaining dose intensity breast cancer CT has been shown to improve survival.
Type of drug in cancer	Chemotherapy classes Antimetabolites 5FU, gemcitabine Alkylating agent Cycphophosphamide, cisplatin Natural product Paclitaxel, Vincristine Antitumor antibiotic Epirubicin, Bleomycin Targeted Rx Hormonal tamoxifen, arimidex, goserelin Antibodies rituximab, cetuximab Small molecules imatinib, erlotinib Supportive Rx Bisphosphonates pamidronate, zoledronic acid Antibody denosumab Immunological GCSF, interferon Analgesic pcm, DF118, morphine Anti-emetic serotonin antagonists, steroid  to be continued