CMF Chemotherapy

CMF chemotherapy is used for the treatment of the breast cancer. In CMF chemotherapy, drugs used are:

• Cyclophosphamide
• Methotrexatea
• Fluorouracil (5FU)

CMF treatment is given to patient as a day patient. Before the start of treatment (either on the same day or few day before), blood test is taken. Also your doctor or nurse takes the physical test. If the results of the treatments are normal, doctor will go ahead with the treatment. They will prepare chemotherapy treatment schedule which include chemotherapy drugs, method of administration.

A flexible tube is put in the vein to administer the chemotherapy drugs. Some time a thin plastic tube is inserted under the skin into a vein. It is inserted in the vein near the collarbone or a vein in their arm. Some anti sickness drugs or tablets are also given to patient during the treatment.

The drugs used in CMF chemotherapy are administered separately. Cyclophosphamide is given intravenously as a drip. Methotrexate is injected along with a drip of salt water or saline into the cannula. Flourocial is also injected in the same way. The whole treatment takes around one hour time.

There is no specific order for giving the drugs. However, cyclophosphamide is given first. Patients can go home once the treatment over. However, they have to take their anti-sickness drugs regularly. These drugs are provided by the doctor.

CMF chemotherapy has side effects associated with it. Each patient reacts to CF chemotherapy differently. Some patients have fewer side effects, while others experience more side effects. Some side effects associated with CMF chemotherapy are lowered resistance to infection, hair loss, bleeding, anemia, mouth sores, diarrhea and tiredness. Consult your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects during the treatment.