Unlike regular antibiotics that are used to treat infections, antitumor antibiotics treat cancer.
Antitumor antibiotics block cancer cell growth by interfering with each cell’s DNA. These drugs, also known as anticancer antibiotics and antineoplastic antibiotics, are made from natural substances found in soil fungus known as Streptomyces.
Types of Antitumor Antibiotics and the Cancers They Treat
Not all anticancer antibiotics are the same. Different types of antitumor antibiotics include:
- Anthracyclines such as Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Epirubicin, Mitoxantrone, and Idarubicin
- Chromomycins such as Dactinomycin and Plicamycin
Other antitumor antibiotics are not included in a specific group. Examples of miscellaneous antitumor antibiotics include Mitomycin and Bleomycin.
Anticancer antibiotics treat different cancers, including leukemia and bladder cancer.
Anticancer Antibiotic Injuries
Like other cancer treatments, antitumor antibiotics have risks. Some of the more common risks include but are not limited to tingling, nausea, vomiting, nerve pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, hair loss, and skin rashes.
Additionally, Bleomycin may cause pulmonary fibrosis, and other anticancer antibiotics may cause bone marrow problems, liver problems, or kidney complications.
Cardiac toxicity, or severe heart problems, is also a risk for people who take antitumor antibiotics. The risk of cardiac toxicity may increase the longer you take the medication. Accordingly, you should be carefully monitored for heart complications, to make sure the treatment is working and, therefore, worth the risk, and to make sure you are only getting the medication dose prescribed by your doctor.
You cannot recover financial compensation for a known side effect if your medical team used reasonable care designing and implementing your treatment plan. However, if a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or another member of your medical team was negligent and that negligence caused you to suffer a serious anticancer antibiotic side effect, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Let our experienced Kentucky chemo overdose lawyers and staff nurse evaluate your claim, free of charge, and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about protecting your future. Call us or start a live chat with us at any time to learn more.
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