While intravenous chemotherapy can be life-saving, it can also be inconvenient and potentially painful. The individual has to go to the hospital or a clinic for treatment and will need an IV port.
Oral chemotherapy can make a person feel as though they have more control over their treatment.
These drugs usually come in pill form, but they may also be available as liquids or tablets that dissolve under the tongue.
What is oral chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, prolonging the life of people with this disease. In some cases, it can eliminate cancer.
The administration of traditional chemotherapy is through a needle into a vein, or intravenously, and it usually takes place in a hospital or clinic.
Oral chemotherapy is chemotherapy that a person can take by mouth.
Some examples of oral chemotherapy medications include:
- Femara (letrozole)
- Odomzo (sonidegib)
- Jakafi (ruxolitinib)
- Zytiga (abiraterone)
- Hexalen (altretamine)
- Ibrance (palbociclib)
- Matulane (procarbazine)
- Sutent (sunitinib)
Chemotherapy is potent and will kill some healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Oral chemotherapy can be just as strong as intravenous chemotherapy.
People who undergo chemotherapy usually experience side effects, and some may become very sick.
Some common side effects of oral chemotherapy drugs include:
- hair loss
- skin changes
- sores in the mouth
- easy bruising
- feeling tired
- infection or flu-like symptoms
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Side effects vary between people, and interactions between chemotherapy medications and other drugs may make them worse.
It is important to talk to a doctor about drugs, alcohol, and herbal supplements before beginning chemotherapy. It can be dangerous to drink alcohol when taking some types of oral chemotherapy.
Medical professionals administer traditional chemotherapy in a hospital-like setting to ensure that the individual gets the correct dose at the right time.
This location also allows for a quick response if the person has an adverse reaction to their treatment.
One disadvantage of oral chemotherapy is that a person may forget to take the medication or not take it correctly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that only about 50 percent of people take their medications correctly.
According to a 2012 report, compliance with oral chemotherapy may decline with time. The results of studies suggest that the longer a person’s course of treatment lasts, the more likely they are to stop taking their medication.
When a person does not take oral chemotherapy drugs precisely as a doctor recommends, the following problems may occur:
- treatment is less effective
- side effects are worse
- doses might be dangerously high due to taking pills too close together
Some chemotherapy pills are so potent that people need to wear gloves to handle them. People with young children must also be careful to store their drugs out of reach and dispose of any leftover pills safely.
Access to chemotherapy drugs can also be a problem. It is sometimes necessary to order the medication many days or weeks in advance, so people who do not keep up with the ordering process may miss doses.
Takeaway
Oral chemotherapy works in a similar way to traditional chemotherapy. It can be a great treatment option for people who find it easy to remember to order and take their medication. It can also offer relief from the stress and inconvenience of regular hospital trips.
Oral chemotherapy is not available for all types and stages of cancer. Even when it is available, it might not be the best choice for everyone. People can ask a doctor if oral treatment is an option for them and find out the details about its effectiveness and side effects.
An honest assessment of a person’s lifestyle, needs, and ability to comply with treatment can help determine whether or not oral chemotherapy is suitable for them.
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