Pediatric Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancer cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer it's being used to treat.

While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, chemotherapy drugs reach all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. Because of this, there may be many side effects during treatment. Being able to anticipate these side effects can help you and your child prepare and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring.

How is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy can be given:

As a pill to swallow
As an injection into the muscle or fat tissue
Intravenously (directly to the bloodstream through a vein; also called IV)
Topically (applied to the skin)
Directly into a body cavity

What are some of the chemotherapy drugs and their potential side effects?

The following table lists some of the chemotherapy drugs commonly used in children and some of the side effects. However, each child may experience symptoms differently and at different times of the treatment. Some side effects may occur early on (days or weeks) and some side effects may occur later (months or years) after the chemotherapy has been given. The side effects listed aren't all the possible problems that may occur. Always consult your child's doctor if your child is feeling anything unusual.

Chemotherapy drug	Side effects (short-term and long-term)
L-asparaginase, Elspar—usually given IV; also can be given as an injection (a shot into muscle or skin)	Drowsiness can occur during and continue for several weeks after treatment Nausea, vomiting, and cramping Allergic reaction: rash or increased breathing effort Problems with blood clotting system (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
Busulfan, Myleran--usually given orally	Fatigue, tiredness Decreased appetite Hair loss (reversible) Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Decrease in blood cell counts
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)--usually given IV	Decrease in blood cell counts Hair loss (reversible) Dizziness Darkened skin coloration Ringing in ears and hearing loss Kidney damage
Cisplatin (cisplatinum, Platinol, Platinol-AQ)--usually given IV	Decrease in blood cell counts Allergic reaction: rash and increased breathing effort Nausea and vomiting that usually occurs for about 24 hours Ringing in ears and hearing loss Fluctuations in blood electrolytes Kidney damage
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)--can be given IV or orally (by mouth)	Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain Decreased appetite Sore mouth and taste changes Diarrhea Hair loss (reversible) Bladder damage
Cytarabine (Ara-C, cytosine arabinoside, Cytosar-U)--usually given IV and/or intrathecally (into the spinal column)	Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Decreased appetite Decrease in blood cell counts Fever and flu-like symptoms
Daunorubicin (Cerubidine), doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, Rubex)--usually given IV	Nausea and vomiting Hair loss (reversible) Red colored urine (not bleeding but a drug effect) Decrease in blood cell counts
Etoposide (VePesid, VP-16)--may be given orally or IV, teniposide (Vumon)--usually given IV	Nausea and vomiting Hair loss (reversible) Decrease in blood cell counts Low blood pressure Decreased appetite Diarrhea
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)--usually given orally	Decrease in blood cell counts Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea
Mercaptopurine (6-MP, Purinethol)--usually given orally	Nausea and vomiting Decreased appetite Tiredness and weakness Decrease in blood cell counts
Methotrexate (MTX)--may be given IV, intrathecally (into the spinal column), or orally (by mouth)	Nausea and vomiting Decrease in blood cell counts Diarrhea Skin rashes Dizziness, headache, or drowsiness
Thioguanine (6-TG)--usually given orally	Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Decreased appetite Decrease in blood cell counts (after several weeks)
Thiotepa (Thioplex, Tepa)--usually given IV, intrathecally (directly into the spinal column), may be instilled in bladder, or injected into the tumor	Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Hair loss (reversible) Decrease in blood cell counts Temporary or permanent sterility (inability to have children)
Topotecan (Hycamtin)--given IV	Muscle achiness Nausea and vomiting
Vincristine (Oncovin)--usually given IV, vinblastine (Velban, Velbe)--usually given IV	Weakness Loss of reflexes Nausea and vomiting Hair loss (reversible) Diarrhea or constipation, abdominal cramping Decrease in blood cell counts

Applicable Conditions Children's Team Children's Locations that Perform this Procedure Our Stories Departments

Applicable Conditions

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Learn more about acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including its symptoms, what causes and how we treat it.

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the retina (the innermost layer of the eye, located at the back of the eye, that receives light and images necessary for vision).

Leukemia

Leukemia is the most common form of pediatric cancer. It affects approximately 3,250 children each year in the US, accounting for about 30 percent of childhood cancers. It can occur at any age, although it is most commonly seen in children between 2 and 6 years of age.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that originates in the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, tendons, and connective tissues.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that grows in soft tissues that support and connect parts of the body.

Neuroblastoma

Pediatric neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that begins in nerve tissue of infants and very young children.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children.

Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors are malignant (cancerous) or nonmalignant (benign, noncancerous) tumors that are comprised mostly of germ cells.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

NHL is cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and functions to fight disease and infections.

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Our cancer team specializes in treating rare cancers like nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Learn more about its causes and treatments

Children's Team

Providers

Jeffrey Dome

Vice President, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Division Chief, Oncology
Associate Director, Center for Cancer and Immunology Research

Eugene Hwang

Associate Division Chief, Oncology
Neuro-Oncologist

Lindsay Kilburn

Neuro-Oncologist

AeRang Kim

Oncologist

Brian Rood

Director, Clinical Neuro-Oncology
Medical Director, Brain Tumor Institute
Oncologist

Children's Locations that Perform this Procedure

Treatment Service Locations

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

8081 Innovation Park Dr
Suite 765, Building B
Fairfax, Virginia 22031

Show more Locations

Our Stories

Chris's Story

When Chris's parents noticed he had lingering pain and swollen lymph nodes, they knew it was time to take him to the doctor.

Christopher's Story

Christopher Melkonian was six years old when he came down with a low-grade fever and diffuse bone pain. Unsure of what was happening, his parents Darlene and David took him to Children’s National Health System and soon found out that Christopher had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that affects white blood cells.

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