The most frequent side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast carcinoma

• Published in: Medicinski arhiv Vol. 44; no. 1; p. 15
• Main Authors: Arslanagić, A, Zulić, I, Musanović, M, Softić, D, Karamehmedović, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Croatian
• Published: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1990
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans

Cytostatics, besides having a desired therapeutic effect on the tumor, also cause side effects which are sometimes a limiting factor in their application. We have observed the type and intensity of side effects of cytostatic therapy suffered by patients with breast cancer during postoperative period (after radical mastectomy) 28 patients have been treated by CMF protocol (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil) 29 patients by FAC protocol (5-fluorouracil, adriamycin cyclophosphamide) 31 patients by Cooper protocol (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, prednizon). The patients have been under observation during a six-months period, while they have been submitted to the adjuvant chemotherapy. On the basis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that CMF protocol turned to be best tolerated. Protocol CMF was to a much lesser extent cause to alopecia, paresthesia, vomiting, urogenital disorders as componed to FAC and Cooper protocols. For that reason the adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer should start with the CMF protocol, while FAC and Cooper protocols should be saved for the second line of treatment in case of unfavourable reaction to the CMF protocol.