Chemotherapy Drugs For Breast Cancer - Treating Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer

Combinations of anticancer drugs are usually used in the treatment of early breast cancer because they stand a greater chance than single drugs of curing the disease. For metastatic cancer, chemotherapy may be combined with hormonal therapy.

Generic name (brand name)

Description

Side effects

Standard chemotherapy drugs

capecitabine (Xeloda)

Used mainly for advanced breast cancer

Fatigue, diarrhea, mouth sores, hand-foot syndrome, drop in blood cell counts

cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer; part of the combinations CMF, CAF, and AC

Hair loss, nausea and vomiting, drop in blood cell counts; may affect fertility

docetaxel (Taxotere)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer

Hair loss, fatigue, fluid retention, drop in blood cell counts; nail changes in color

doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer; part of the combinations CAF and AC

Hair loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, drop in blood cell counts; rarely, heart damage with continued dosing

epirubicin (Ellence)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer

Hair loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, drop in blood cell counts; rarely, heart damage

fluorouracil (Adrucil)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer; part of the combinations CAF and CMF

Fatigue, drop in blood cell counts, rash, diarrhea, mouth or lip sores

gemcitabine (Gemzar)

Used for advanced cancer

Fever, rash, hair loss, drop in blood cell counts

methotrexate (Mexate)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer; part of the combination CMF

Fatigue, drop in blood cell counts, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, rash; occasional liver and kidney damage

paclitaxel (Taxol)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer

Hair loss, fatigue, drop in blood cell counts; neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet), usually after long-term use; allergic reactions

vinorelbine (Navelbine)

Used for advanced cancer

drop in blood cell counts; abnormalities of liver and kidney function; neuropathy; skin damage if drug seeps into site of injection around skin and vein; nausea and vomiting

Monoclonal antibodies

trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Used for advanced cancers with high levels of HER2

Early, temporary allergic reaction that may include shortness of breath, fever, and chills; serious side effects include, rarely, allergic shock and respiratory distress; heart damage

Hormone medications

anastrozole (Arimidex)

Used for early and advanced hormone-receptor positive cancers in postmenopausal women

Hot flashes, mild nausea, fatigue; elevated blood pressure; weakness; joint pains; thinning of bones (osteoporosis); mood disturbances; cough; rash

exemestane (Aromasin)

Used for advanced hormone-receptor positive cancers in postmenopausal women

Hot flashes, mild nausea, fatigue; elevated blood pressure; weakness; joint pains; thinning of bones (osteoporosis); mood disturbances; cough; rash

letrozole (Femara)

Used for advanced hormone-receptor positive cancers in postmenopausal women

Hot flashes; pain in back, joints, or muscles; hair loss; less likelihood of bone thinning

megestrol (Megace)

Used for advanced hormone-receptor positive cancers

Weight gain, increased appetite, shortness of breath; blood clots

tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

Used for both early-stage and advanced cancer; used over several years to prevent recurrence of hormone-receptor positive cancers and endometrial cancer

Hot flashes, increased chance of blood clots and uterine cancer

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists

goserelin (Zoladex)

Sometimes used to treat hormone-receptor positive cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women

Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, reduced libido); memory changes; joint pains; bone thinning

leuprolide (Lupron)