Read article Chemotherapy for salivary gland cancer
This page tells you about chemotherapy for salivary gland cancer. There is information about
Chemotherapy for salivary gland cancer
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. The main treatment for salivary gland cancer is surgery. It isn’t usual to have chemotherapy for early stage salivary gland cancer. There isn’t enough evidence that it lowers the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. But it is used when cancer is advanced and you can’t have surgery or radiotherapy.
Most chemotherapy has some side effects. Which particular side effects you depend on the drugs you have. They may include
- Feeling sick
- Fatigue
- A drop in blood cell counts
- A change in how your kidneys work
- Change to your lung tissue
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating salivary gland cancer section.
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs work by disrupting the growth of cancer cells. The drugs circulate in the bloodstream around the body.
The main treatment for salivary gland cancer is surgery. It isn’t usual to have chemotherapy for early stage salivary gland cancer. At the moment, there isn’t enough evidence that it lowers the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. But chemotherapy treatment is used if the cancer is advanced and you can’t have surgery or radiotherapy.
The chemotherapy may include any of the following drugs
You can find out about the possible side effects of these drugs by using the links above. Or go to our cancer drugs side effects section.
Most chemotherapy has some side effects. The side effects depend on the drugs you have. They may also vary from person to person.
The side effects you may have include
- Feeling sick
- A drop in blood cell counts which causes an increased risk of picking up infections, tiredness and bleeding
- Fatigue
- A change in how your kidneys work
- Changes in your lungs
You can find detailed information about chemotherapy and its side effects in our chemotherapy section.
We don't yet know much scientifically about how some nutritional or herbal supplements may interact with chemotherapy. Some could be harmful. It is very important to let your doctors know if you take any supplements. Or if you are prescribed them by alternative or complementary therapy practitioners.
Talk to your specialist about any other tablets or medicines you take while you are having active treatment. There is information about the safety of herbal, vitamin and diet supplements in our complementary therapies section.
Some studies seem to suggest that fish oil preparations may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. If you are taking or thinking of taking these supplements talk to your doctor to find out whether they could affect your treatment.
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