Mittlerweile gibt es eine Vielfalt von Zytostatika, die in der onkologischen Behandlung
zum Einsatz kommen und mit vielen Neuentwicklungen einen Grundpfeiler in der Therapie
maligner Tumore darstellen. Zudem werden manche Zytostatika auch bei immunologischen
Erkrankungen verwendet und die Interaktionen zwischen Krebszellen und Immunsystem
unter Behandlung mit Chemotherapie sind aktuell Ziel intensivierter Forschungsarbeiten.
Abstract
The application of chemotherapy against malignant tumors might control the malignant
disease but harbours many pitfalls. The chemotherapy type is chosen depending on the
entity and stage of the tumor as well as on the patient’s characteristics and fitness.
Patients under therapy should be informed on the potential side effects and should
be closely monitored by physicians, familiar with the common as well as the substance
specific side effects of the drugs used. Preventive or timely application of supportive
medication can prevent or diminish drug-induced toxicities. The attending physician
has to be aware of the potential treatment-related emergency situations during application
as well as several days after. One of the most common and dangerous emergencies that
requires immediate medical attention is fever in neutropenia.
The use of new medical drug classes, targeted molecular and immune therapies has changed
and improved disease control in many tumor entities in a revolutionary manner. Overall,
combination treatments including targeted drugs, immunotherapy and/or classical chemotherapy
show improved efficacy in tumor control. These novel (combination) therapies may provoke
different side effects that physicians need to be familiar with and take into account.
Schlüsselwörter
Chemotherapie - Nebenwirkungen - Zytostatika - Notfall
Key words
chemotherapy - side effects - cytostatics - emergency
