Dacarbazine
Dacarbazine slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of
treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to
them, and the type of cancer you have.
Dacarbazine is used to treat:
- melanoma
- Hodgkin's disease
- leiomyosarcoma
- fibrosarcoma
- rhabdomyosarcoma
- neuroblastomas
- malignant glucagonom
Possible side effects of Dacarbazine
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting. There are now very effective
anti-sickness drugs to prevent or greatly reduce this. If it does happen it may begin a
couple of hours after the treatment is given and last for a few days. If it is not
controlled, or continues, tell your doctor. They can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs.
Temporary reduction in the production of blood cells by the bone marrow.
This can result in anaemia, risk of bruising or bleeding and infection. This effect can
begin about seven days after the treatment has been given and the number of blood cells in
your blood usually reaches its lowest point at 21-25 days after the chemotherapy.
Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually return to normal within
32-40 days. The extent to which your blood cells are reduced depends on the dose of
chemotherapy you receive and which other chemotherapy drugs, if any, are given in
combination. Your doctor can advise you how likely it is that your blood cells will be
lowered by the chemotherapy.
Your blood will be checked regularly to see how well your bone marrow is working. If
your temperature goes above 38°C (100.5°F), or you develop any unexplained bruising or
bleeding, or you suddenly feel unwell, contact your doctor or the hospital straight away.
Loss of appetite. A dietician or specialist nurse at your hospital can
give advice.
Less common side effects of Dacarbazine
Diarrhoea. This can usually be easily controlled with medicine but
tell your doctor if it is severe or continues. It is important to drink plenty of fluids
if you do have diarrhoea.
Hair loss. Hair loss is uncommon but hair may thin, or occasionally be
lost completely. If this happens it usually begins about 3-4 weeks after the first dose of
dacarbazine, although it may occur earlier. It is temporary, and the hair will regrow once
the treatment is finished.
Your liver may be temporarily affected. Dacarbazine may cause changes
in the way that you liver works, which return to normal when the treatment is finished.
This is very unlikely to cause you any harm, but your doctor will monitor this carefully.
Samples of your blood will be taken from time to time to check your liver function.
Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. During treatment with
dacarbazine, and for several months afterwards, you will be more sensitive to the sun, and
your skin may burn more easily than normal. You can still go out in the sun, but always
wear a high protection factor suncream and protective clothing.
Allergic reaction. Some people receiving dacarbazine have an allergic
reaction to the drug, either on the first dose or sometimes with further doses. Signs of
an allergic reaction include skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering,
redness of the face, a feeling of dizziness, headache, breathlessness, anxiety and a need
to pass urine. Any of these signs should be reported quickly to your doctor or nurse, as
medicine can be given to reduce these effects.
A flu-like effect can occur up to a week after you have had
dacarbazine, and may last for a week or more. You may have headaches, aching joints or
muscles, a temperature, weakness and chills. If this does happen, it is important that you
drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
Sore mouth and taste change. Your mouth may become sore, or you
may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids and cleaning your
teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush can help to reduce the risk of this
happening. Tell your doctor if you do have any of these problems as they can prescribe
special mouthwashes and medicine to prevent or clear any mouth infection.
You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will come back after the
treatment finishes. |