INSIGHTS FROM A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY: BREAST CANCER TREATMENT, ADVERSE EFFECTS AND SECONDARY CANCER INCIDENCE

Swapna Sunil*, Vinsu Ann Shaji, Sherin Mariam Varghese, Jasmine Rachel Cherian, Dr. Philip Jacob and Dr. Mathews Jose

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and change in bowel movements. Over 100 types of cancer affect humans. This study aims to find out the proportion of different cancers in different age populations, in various gender groups, and to study the treatment, adverse drug reactions, and occurrence of secondary cancer associated with breast and lung cancer. This study is a hospital-based 6 months long retrospective study involving 400 patients from Oncology Hospital. Data was collected with the help of case report forms which included Laboratory values, diagnosis, treatment, sex, age, and Naranjo scale to assess the adverse drug reactions experienced. From the study, we were able to conclude that for the treatment of breast cancer, the commonly used medications were Cyclophosphamide, Docetaxel, and Letrozole. The frequently used pre-medications were Ondansetron, Calcium with Vitamin D3, and Dexamethasone. From the study, it was evident that the frequency of peripheral neuropathy occurring due to the administration of Docetaxel was high, hemorrhagic cystitis was caused due to Cyclophosphamide, and Letrozole caused joint pain, and hyperlipidemia. Metastasis to bone and adjacent breast was found to be the highest occurring secondary cancer due to breast cancer.

Keywords: Cancer, Treatment, Adverse Drug reaction, Secondary Reaction, Metastasis.