"Red chemistry" is a colloquial term for any chemotherapy in which the intravenous administration of doxorubicin or epirubicin is given. These substances have a red color, which they give to intravenous infusions used in cancer treatment. How does red chemistry work? What side effects are associated with this form of treatment?
Red chemotherapy (red chemotherapy)is often referred to as the most powerful type of cancer treatment. It is worth emphasizing, however, that this common claim is imprecise. The effectiveness of treatment is a consequence of the appropriate treatment regimen for a given type of cancer. In comparison with white and yellow chemicals, it is distinguished by the power to fight cancer cells and the intensity of side effects. This type of treatment is also sometimes referred to as the "red devil" by cancer patients because of the stress it causes on the body. Red chemotherapy is most often administered in leukemia, lymphomas, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the blood system, bladder cancer and prostate cancer.
The characteristic color of red intravenous infusions is determined by the cytostatic substances from the anthracycline group, including doxorubicin. Administration of medications may also change the shade of a patient's urine to pink. A color change of up to 48 hours is perfectly normal and should not be alarming.
Red chemistry - how does it work?
Cystostatic drugs are chemicals used in cancer treatment to destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, by attacking lesions, they also damage he althy tissues and organs. This is because cancer cells are cells in our body changed by mutations. Strong side effects are a part of virtually every cancer treatment.
Drugs contained in red chemistry infusions attack cancer cells by blocking their DNA replication process. As a consequence, cell division is blocked, and thus multiplication within the lesion. By binding to the DNA helix into a stable complex, the anthracycline drugs eventually deliverto the death of a cancer cell.
Cytostatics also attack he althy tissues of the patient's body in a similar way. As a consequence, patients experience unpleasant side effects, such as hair loss. However, drugs are more dangerous for cancer cells because they replicate their DNA much more intensively.
Red chemotherapy treatment regimens:
- AC- doxorubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide,
- TAC- taxane in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide,
- ABVD- doxorubicin in combination with bleomycin, vinblastin and dacarbazine,
- CHOP- doxorubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and drednisone,
- FAC- doxorubicin in combination with 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cyclophamid.
How is red chemotherapy given?
Red chemistry is always given as an intravenous infusion. The duration of this form of treatment is adjusted individually to the type of cancer and its stage. Cytostatics are always administered in many cycles, with intervals of several months.
Red chemistry - side effects
Common side effects of taking red chemicals:
- hair loss,
- bone marrow suppression,
- reducing the number of white blood cells,
- feeling sick,
- loss of appetite,
- mouth ulcers,
- increased tendency to sunburn,
- vomiting,
- rash,
- allergic reactions,
- cardiomyopathy,
- weakening of the heart muscle,
- damage to the heart muscle, even leading to heart failure,
- pinkness, pain and swelling of the hands and feet,
- necrotizing colitis,
- fertility disorders.
Red chemistry and pregnancy
Note! Red chemistry, in pregnant patients, can lead to very serious damage to the fetus. Therefore, this form of treatment should not be administered to pregnant women. In the case of patients of childbearing age, it is recommended to use an effective form of contraception while taking red chemotherapy.
What is worth remembering while taking red chemicals?
Side effects are unfortunately included in the oncological treatment with the use of red chemistry. However, unpleasant symptoms can be minimized by eating a proper diet and taking antiemetics.
Food consumed after administration of chemotherapy should be light and easily digestible. It is important that they contain a lot of proteinfacilitating the regeneration of the body. At the same time, hard-to-digest foods, rich in animal fats, are not recommended.
Lean meats, white cheeses, milk and eggs are good choices. In pharmacies you can also buy special nutritional drinks intended for people undergoing oncological treatment. They are a helpful solution for patients who have problems eating meals due to loss of appetite or mouth ulcers.
Sage rinses can help if you develop oral lesions that are common during red chemotherapy. In the case of serious erosions, the problem should be reported to a doctor, who can then prescribe special antifungal ointments available only on prescription.
A great support for people struggling with the troublesome consequences of red chemotherapy can be online forums of oncological patients, such as amazonki.net and tropnikraka.pl.
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