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Oral Oncology Oral oncology is a therapy regimen using anticancer medications that are swallowed in capsule, tablet or liquid form. It may be prescribed to control the spread of certain types of cancer, the types of cancers for which oral chemotherapy has been approved include the following:
Studies have shown that for some types of cancer oral chemotherapy can be as effective and safe as cancer treatments given through IV, injection, or a catheter. The major advantage of oral chemotherapy is the convenience of taking a capsule or tablet rather than traveling to your doctor's office to receive other types of treatment. Because oral chemotherapy is taken in the home setting instead of at a physician's office, it requires you to take on additional responsibilities for your care and become a more active member of your healthcare team. You and your physician will weigh the benefits of oral chemotherapy against the significant responsibilities you will be taking on. Forgetting to take your medication, not taking it on time and taking too little or too much are among the problems to watch out for. It is crucial that you keep your physician informed about any side effects for your dose can be fine tuned for maximum results. Oral chemotherapy patients must be willing to play a key role in their therapy treatment. This requires:
The side effects of oral chemotherapy are similar to those during IV chemotherapy treatment. The medications that kill cancer cells can also affect normal cells. It is the harm to these healthy cells that causes the side effects. Like all forms of chemotherapy, the side effects or oral chemotherapy will vary depending on the drug and dosage. Some of the most common side effects include: headache, nausea and vomiting. During oral chemotherapy, it is important to stay in close contact with your healthcare team. Keeping a daily diary of the side effects you experience may help in remembering important details when you give updates in your treatment progress. The best way to maximize the safety of oral chemotherapy is to monitor and quickly report all side effects, so your healthcare team can adjust the dosage for optimal success.
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