This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Bleomycin which is used to treat many types of cancer, including testicular cancer, non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and cancers of the head and neck. It is also sometimes used to treat fluid on the lung.
It is an antineoplastic antibiotic that is poisonous to cells. It binds to the cancer cells’ DNA so that the cells cannot divide or grow. It also causes ’free radicals’ to be made inside the body. Free radicals are hyperactive oxygen atoms that damage DNA. It is generally given intravenously through a drip.
Side effects can include: fatigue, fever, hair loss, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, possible loss of fertility, mild nausea.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list