This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Thiotepa (Thioplex, Triethylenephosphoramide) which is a chemotherapy drug known as an alkylating agent and used primarily for bladder cancer, though is also used with breast and ovarian cancers.
It is administered by injection, intravenously, or directly into the bladder (intravesically) and also via a lumbar puncture or by an Ommaya reservoir (a plastic dome-shaped device with a catheter attached) which delivers the drugs directly into the central nervous system.
Side effects can include: abdominal pain, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, increased risk of infection, cystitis if administered directly into the bladder (although this can reduce the severity of other side effects which are more likely when the drug is given intravenously). There are also possible long term damage to bone marrow.
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