Different people react to chemotherapy differently. Firstly, a single drug like gemcitabine or cisplatin are options if patients have a poor general condition. Furthermore, other drugs for bladder cancer are docetaxel, doxorubicin, methotrexate, ifosfamide and pemetrexed.
Doctors give chemotherapy in regimens; a period of rest follows each cycle so the body can recover. Moreover, each cycle ideally lasts a few weeks.
Most types of bladder cancers are urothelial or transitional. However, there are other types as well including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell carcinoma. Furthermore, rare types of bladder cancers are treated with drugs that are listed in Drugs used in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Symptoms of chemo for blood cancer include:
- nausea and vomiting constipation or diarrhea
- fatigue
- increased bleeding or bruising
- increased risk of infection
- loss of appetite
- hair loss
- mouth sores
Generally, side-effects depend on the quantity of drugs used and how they are taken. If administered directly to the bladder, the side effects are usually milder. Besides, side effects normally subside when a course of treatment has finished.