Chemotherapy Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment

How do you take chemotherapy for breast cancer? Most people think that taking chemo is only done with an intravenous drip. There are several ways to take chemo. Learn how to take chemo for breast cancer here.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer may be given as shots, pills, and infusions. For chemo infusions, drugs will be given through your bloodstream. Fluid chemotherapy drugs are prepared in bags that are hung on an IV pole and connected to catheters a system of tubes that allows the chemotherapy to drip into your bloodstream at a controlled rate. ...

Huber needles are used for IV chemotherapy. Your chemo nurse will use a Huber needle to access your implanted port. A Huber needle is designed for patient safety and comfort. Learn about Huber needles here.

Butterfly needles are just one of the many needles you will get stuck with during cancer treatment. These winged infusion sets may look like butterflies, but they can bite! When used carefully, butterfly needles can be painless. Learn more about butterfly needles here.

Midline catheters can be used to give chemotherapy for breast cancer treatments. From the outside, these look like PICC Lines, but midline catheters are different. Learn about the uses and maintenance of midline catheters here.

Central venous catheters are used to give long-term intravenous chemotherapy. CVCs - look like PICC lines but are different. These catheters are good for patients who don't like to get stuck with needles. Learn more about central venous catheters here.

Afinitor (everolimus) is a new drug that may be used for Herceptin-resistant and triple-negative breast cancer. Afinitor has been approved for treatment of renal cell carcinoma, and is an mTOR inhibitor. Learn more about Afinitor and breast cancer.

Iressa (gefitinib) is a drug that is being studied in combination with Arimidex (anastrozole) for treatment of metastatis breast cancer. In a Phase 2 study, it extended life and was well-tolerated by patients. Learn more about Iressa for breast cancer treatment.

Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug used in combination with other drugs to treat breast and other cancers. It is also called 5-Fluorouracil, and is part of the FAC combination chemo: 5-FU, Adriamycin, and Cytoxan. A standard chemotherapy drug, it was approved by the U. S. FDA in 1962. Read about uses and side effects of Fluorouracil.

Adriamycin (doxorubicin) is a chemotherapy drug that is a standard component in treating many types of breast cancer. Often called the "red devil" for its distinct red color, Adriamycin can be used in combination with other drugs to kill breast cancer celred devills.

Cyclophosphamide, or Cytoxan, Neosar, is a chemotherapy drug that is used in combination with other drugs, to treat breast cancer. Cytoxan slows down, or stops the growth of cancer cells.

Xeloda or capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy drug that you take twice a day with water and on a full stomach. It is used to treat metastatic breast cancer, and can be taken alone or with Taxotere. Read more to learn about how Xeloda works, its side effects, and self-care tips.

Taxol (Paclitaxel) is a chemotherapy drug made from yew trees. It fights cancer by interfering with cancer cell division. Taxol can be used to treat any stage of breast cancer; as well as ovarian, lung, and AIDS- related Kaposi’s sarcoma. When given in low doses it has mild side effects and is well-tolerated.

Ixempra is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer. It is prescribed only for breast cancer patients whose tumors are resistant to, or no longer benefiting from anthracyclines (such as Adriamycin), taxanes (such as Taxol), and capecitabine (Xeloda). Ixempra is member of the epothilones, a new family of anticancer drugs.