Lung Cancer Treatments – Amifostine
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Amifostine for Lung Cancer
Amifostine is a drug the cancer experts at CTCA use to protect against dry mouth and other common side effects of radiation therapy for lung cancer. When tumors lay close to the salivary glands or esophagus, as is often the case in lung cancer, radiation therapy may be absorbed by these healthy cells. Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and lung inflammation may result.
Amifostine is a radio-protectant, which means it shields nearby healthy tissues from the damaging effects of radiation therapy while leaving cancer cells responsive to treatment.
Your CTCA care team may administer Amifostine just before your radiation treatment using a sub-cutaneous injection. This delivery method is typically better tolerated with fewer side effects, like nausea or vomiting.
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