Mitozantrone Chemotherapy

This information assumes you have already talked about other treatment options with your doctor and have agreed to a course of mitozantrone chemotherapy.
It will explain:

• the treatment plan;
• the most common side effects you may have and ways in which you can reduce or even overcome them when you are at home;
• any serious side effects that may affect your life-style;
• who to contact when you need advice about the chemotherapy.

It will also be helpful for family and friends who may be worried at how the treatment may affect you and ways in which they can help.

Treatment Plan 1
Your treatment is given by the nurses and takes about 20 minutes. It is given as an infusion (drip) into a vein in the back of your hand or forearm using a plastic needle called a cannula every 3 weeks at the clinic for 4 or 6 courses1.
Your treatment should be pain free. However, if the skin around the cannula causes any pain, stinging or burning, tell the nurse immediately.

Side Effects 2
Nausea and Vomiting (feeling sick and being sick)
It is important to take your anti-emetics (anti-sickness) tablets as prescribed, otherwise nausea and less frequently vomiting, may become a problem. You can help reduce this by eating small, frequent meals and avoiding rich, spicy foods and alcohol for 48 hours after treatment. If sickness lasts longer than this, telephone for advice and let your nurse or doctor know at the next hospital visit. A different anti-emetic may help. Some anti-emetics may cause drowsiness. If affected, it is important you do not drive or operate machinery.

Your Bone Marrow
Chemotherapy affects the bone marrow where blood cells are made and may temporarily lower the three main types of blood cells.

• Your white cells leaving you more prone to infection.
• Your red cells causing anaemia.
• Your platelets which may leave you prone to bruising or bleeding.

Because of this we will require blood tests each time you attend and in between at your nearest hospital. Telephone for advice if:

• your temperature rises above 37.5ºC (100ºF) which may mean an infection. The nurse will show you how to take your own temperature if you do not know;
• you have any bruising or bleeding you cannot account for;
• you feel tired or short of breath, which may mean you are anaemic and need a blood transfusion; or
• you feel generally unwell

Your Urine (waterworks)
You may find that for the first 24 hours following treatment, your urine is blue/green. This is harmless. You can help yourself by drinking about 3 pints of fluid a day.

Your Mouth
Keep your mouth healthy by cleaning your teeth and gums after each meal. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as this will increase dryness in your mouth. Salt water is good. If your mouth continues to be very sore or ulcerated, telephone for advice.

Tiredness
You may feel a bit tired at times. It is important that you do as much or as little as you feel like doing.

Your Hair
The treatment does not usually cause complete hair loss although you may find your hair becomes thinner or more brittle. If you do experience hair loss, the nurse can arrange a wig for you. However, hair loss or hair thinning is temporary and your hair will return when your treatment is complete.

Your Fertility
We advise you not to become pregnant or father a child during chemotherapy and for 2 months after the last treatment because the drugs may harm the developing baby. So, before starting treatment discuss methods of contraception with your partner and, if necessary, a nurse or doctor. The treatment may also affect your ability to become pregnant in the future.

Your Veins
The treatment may cause irritation of the veins (phlebitis) and in a small number of patient's they may become blue in colour, which may be permanent. Changing the injection site each time you visit can help to minimise this.

Your Heart
Very rarely, the chemotherapy can affect the muscle of the heart and if you already have heart problems, the doctor will monitor you carefully. Occasionally your doctor may arrange a special heart scan if there are any concerns.

It is hard to say which side effects will affect you and to what extent. Be guided by how you feel each day.

Who to Contact:
Delamere Day Case Unit 0151 604 7498. Mon - Fri, 9-5
Sulby Ward 0151 604 7459 all other times

References:
1. CCO 1999. Chemotherapy Protocols. Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology.
2. Cytotoxic Chemotherapy. 5th ed. Eli Lilly Oncology.

Further Reading:
CCO Patient Information Series:

• Chemotherapy (No.8)
• Sex and Chemotherapy (No.10)
  

CancerBACUP leaflets.

• Chemotherapy
• Sexuality and Cancer
  

Other Sources of Information:
Cancer Information Centre
Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology,
Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JY
Tel: 0151 482 7722.
www.ccotrust.co.uk

BACUP
3 Bath Place
Rivington St
London EC2A 3JR Tel.0800 181199
www.cancerbacup.org.uk

Taxol

Taxol & Cisplatin

Taxol & Carboplatin

CAE

Adriamycin

BMC

Carboplatin

5FU & Folinic Acid

AC

CAV

Cisplatin

CMF

CMV

Epirubicin

Irinotecan

Mitozantrone