Carboplatin

Carboplatin is a platinum compound that is currently used in the treatment of lung, ovarian and other forms of cancer. Early study results indicate that the use of carboplatin alone for treating mesothelioma is inconsistent, but researchers believe the drug may offer some benefit when used in combination with other drugs. Carboplatin is a colorless fluid that is administered as an infusion through the vein or through a line that is inserted under the skin and into a vein near the collarbone or in the crook of the arm. Carboplatin offers some side effects that will vary depending upon the patient. If patients are taking other medications in addition to chemotherapy treatments, the other medications may interfere with treatment. Patients should discuss this with their doctors. Chemotherapy may also affect fertility. Patients are advised to use reliable contraception during and for a few months following treatment as conception during this time frame may lead to damage for a developing fetus. Some of the most common side effects of carboplatin may include allergic reactions, anemia, bruising and bleeding, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and a lowered resistance to infection. Less common side effects may include diarrhea, loss of hair, hearing problems, kidney problems, sore mouth, mouth ulcers, taste alterations and tingling or numbness of the hands or feet. The following tables outline the most common and less common side effects of carboplatin, respectively.

More Common Side Effects of Carboplatin
Side Effect	Symptom	Solution
Anemia	Tiredness and breathlessness indicate that a patient may be suffering anemia, which is caused by a reduction in red blood cells.	A blood transfusion may be necessary if red blood cell counts become too low.
Bruising and bleeding	Nosebleeds, blood spots or skin rashes, bleeding gums or any other form of bleeding or bruising may indicate a reduction in the body’s ability to produce blood platelets. A reduction in platelets causes the blood to clot	Patients should consult their doctors of symptoms.
Loss of appetite	Loss of appetite.	A dietician or specialist will assist in boosting the appetite or other eating disorders
Nausea and vomiting	Nausea and vomiting typically begin after treatment and last for one day.	Doctors may prescribe anti-emetic drugs to prevent or reduce these side effects.
Resistance to infection	Carboplatin may reduce the bone marrow’s ability to produce white blood cells and the reduction in white blood cells puts patients at risk for infection. Infection may begin about 1 week after treatment and the body’s resistance to infection will usually reach it lowest within 10 to 14 days after chemotherapy has ended.	Once chemotherapy has ended, the production of blood cells will begin to steadily increase and should return to normal within 21 to 28 days.If a patient experiences body temperature above 100.5^o F or the patient suddenly begins to feel bad, doctors will give the patient a blood test to check that the blood cells have recovered. If blood cells have not recovered, patients may have their chemotherapy delayed until the cells have recovered

Less Common Side Effects of Carboplatin
Side Effect	Symptom	Solution
Diarrhea	Diarrhea may develop and become severe as result of the loss of fluid	May be controlled with medication and drinking more fluids.
Hair loss	A temporary condition may occur within the first 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. Hair loss is rare for patients receiving low doses of carboplatin, but common for patients receiving high-dose treatments.	Re-growth will begin when treatment ends.
Hearing problems	Some patients may experience tinnitus, which is ringing in the ears and they may lose the ability to hear to high-pitched sounds.	These effects tend to decrease after treatment, but in some rare instances, the effects may be permanent.
Kidney problems	The risk of kidney problems is low and effects on the kidney are usually mild. However, in those cases where kidney problems are severe, permanent kidney problems are possible if treatment is not stopped.	A patient’s kidneys should be checked prior to each treatment and patients are given fluid prior to and following treatment in an effort to keep the kidneys functioning properly. Treatment is stopped if problems persist.
Sore mouth and ulcers	Infection may cause small ulcers to form in the mouth or the mouth may become sore.	Patients should drink plenty of fluids, clean their teeth regularly and gently. Doctors may prescribe special mouthwash or medication to clear or prevent infection.
Taste alterations	Patients may experience a temporary alteration in taste.	Diet as advised by a dietician or specialist.
Tingling or numbness of the hands or feet	This is a condition known as peripheral neuropathy where carboplatin affects the nerves. Symptoms usually result from high dose treatments.	Effects gradually disappear within months after the treatment.