Chemotherapy for Thyroid Cancer

Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells. These drugs destroy cancer that is still left after surgery, slow the tumor's growth, or reduce symptoms.

Chemotherapy is not usually used to treat thyroid cancer. But certain chemotherapy drugs are useful in combination with external radiation beam therapy for anaplastic thyroid cancers. Chemotherapy is also used sometimes for thyroid cancers that have continued to grow after treatment with radioactive iodine or external beam radiation therapy. Some of the chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat thyroid cancer are listed below.

• Adriamycin^® (doxorubicin) - Doxorubicin hydrochloride belongs to the group of chemotherapy drugs known as anthracycline antibiotics. Doxorubicin stops the growth of cancer cells, which kills them. This drug is given by a shot in a vein over about 15 minutes. The dose and how often you get the medicine depend on your size, your blood counts, how well your liver works, and the type of cancer being treated. Your blood counts will be checked before each treatment; if they are too low, your treatment will be delayed.

• Adrucil ^® or Efudex ^® (5-fluorouracil or 5-FU) - 5-FU belongs to the group of chemotherapy drugs known as antimetabolites. 5-FU prevents cells from making DNA and RNA, which stops cells from growing. 5-FU is given as a shot in the vein over 5 to 10 minutes or 20 to 60 minutes, or continuously over 22 to 24 hours for 1 to 4 days or longer. The treatment can be repeated every week, every other week, or every 3 weeks. The dose depends on your size and blood count.

• Blenoxane ^® (bleomycin) - Bleomycin belongs to the group of chemotherapy drugs known as antibiotics. Bleomycin interferes with cell division, which destroys the cells. Bleomycin is given by a shot into a vein, either over 10 minutes or as a continuous infusion for 24 hours, or as a shot into the muscle or under the skin. The dose is based on your size.

• Cytoxan ^® (cyclophosphamide) - Cyclophosphamide belongs to a group of chemotherapy drugs known as alkylating agents. It stops cancer cells from growing, which kills them. Cyclophosphamide can be given by mouth as a pill or liquid, or by a shot into a vein. The dose depends on your size, your type of cancer, and blood count.

• DTIC-Dome ^® (dacarbazine) - Dacarbazine is a chemotherapy drug that acts like an alkylating agent. It stops cancer cells from growing, which kills them. Dacarbazine is given by a shot in a vein over 20 minutes or longer. The dose and how often you get the medicine depend on your size, your blood counts, and the type of cancer being treated.

• Oncovin ^® (vincristine) - Vincristine belongs to the group of chemotherapy drugs known as plant (vinca) alkaloids. It stops cells from dividing, which kills them. Vincristine is given by an injection in a vein over 2 to 5 minutes. The dose and how often you get the medicine depend on your weight, how well your liver is working, and the type of cancer being treated.

• Platinol^® (cisplatin) - Cisplatin is a platinum compound chemotherapy drug that acts like an alkylating agent. It stops cancer cells from growing, which kills them. Cisplatin is given by an injection into the vein over at least 1 hour. Your dose depends upon the type of cancer you have, your size, and how well your kidneys work.

• VePesid ^® or Etopophos ^® (etoposide) - Etoposide belongs to the class of chemotherapy drugs known as plant alkaloids. It stops cells from dividing, which kills them. Etoposide can be given by an injection in a vein over 30 to 60 minutes, or at higher doses over 1 to 4 hours. Etoposide can also be given by mouth as a capsule. The dose depends on your size, the type of cancer being treated, and your blood counts.

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.