Cyclophosphamide is a type of chemotherapy. It interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Cyclophosphamide works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells. The DNA is the genetic material of cells. Cyclophosphamide also has immunosuppressive properties.
Cyclophosphamide can be given on its own, or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
Indications
It is a treatment for several different types of cancer. Examples include:
- Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma such as Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)
- Mycosis fungoides (MF)
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
- Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia (WM)
Administration
The amount of cyclophosphamide you will receive depends on many factors including:
- Height and weight
- General health or other health problems
- Type of lymphoma being treated
How is it given
- Cyclophosphamide is given in the chemotherapy day unit or during a stay in hospital.
- Cyclophosphamide can be given alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
- You have cyclophosphamide as a drip into your bloodstream (intravenously).
- Cyclophosphamide can be taken as tablets that you swallow whole with plenty of water.
Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluid (unless you are fluid restricted) for 2 days after treatment with cyclophosphamide. Patients should also empty their bladder often (at least every 2-4 hours for first 24 hours post receiving cyclophosphamide).
Possible side effects
Common side effects may include:
- Low blood counts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Hair loss
- Changes in skin colour
- Changes in nails
- Soreness and redness of the palms
- Headaches
- Mouth sores
- Cough or hoarseness
- Fever or chills
- Lower back or side pain
- Painful or difficult urination
