[Chemotherapy of malignant tumors]

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.