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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Chemotherapy, IV vs Oral form
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Chemotherapy, IV vs Oral form
by Haleygirl, Apr 15, 2007 12:00AM
Does hair loss occur with the use of the pill form of chemotherapy? Also, will the pill form give me the same chance of nonreoccurrence of cancer as IV chemo?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Apr 16, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 16, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Haleygirl: The decision of which chemotherapy to used depends upon the disease being treated, the patient’s health, and the physician. Some chemotherapy drugs are available orally and others are not but they are not generally substituted by preference for oral over IV. The side effects vary by drug type, dose and mode of administration . Because a chemotherapy drug is oral does not necessarily mean that there are fewer or less serious side effects. Hormonal therapy, which is different from chemotherapy, is an anticancer treatment that is unlikely to cause significant hair loss and may be used alone or in addition to chemotherapy depending on the circumstances. The benefits and side effects of your various treatment options should be discussed with your oncologist.
