Chemotherapy Protocols and Infusion Sequence: Schedule Considerations in Cancer Treatment

This book aims to address the infusion sequence of the main protocols used in the treatment of varied solid cancers. Since an inadequate infusion sequence can compromise the patient's treatment, this work will provide support to professionals working in the field of oncology in assessing each chemotherapy infusion sequence. The introductory chapters present the definition, indication, and the risks and benefits of polypharmacy in cancer therapy, and discuss the importance of drug combination in cancer treatment. Chapter 2 focuses on the challenges and also the toxicity of combination therapy in cancer, while chapter 3 highlights the parameters that must be evaluated before defining the infusion sequence, such as pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles, drugs’ stability when diluted or reconstituted, toxicological profile of each drug, among others. The remaining chapters are divided by type of cancer. The content is focused on solid tumors, dividing the chapters according to breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecological, head and neck, lung, and neurological cancers. In each chapter the epidemiological profiles, pathophysiology, therapeutic modalities, and the main chemotherapy protocols are addressed, as well as efficacy studies and data on the infusion sequence of each mentioned protocol. This work will be a valuable resource to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, and may help to improve health service practices.