18. MAID Chemotherapy for Sarcoma

The MAID regimen is a combination chemotherapy used to treat soft tissue sarcomas, a rare group of cancers that begin in the muscles, fat, nerves, or connective tissues. It is usually given when the disease is advanced or aggressive, or sometimes before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or reduce the risk of recurrence.

MAID stands for the combination of four drugs: Mesna – protects the bladder from harmful effects of ifosfamide, Doxorubicin – a strong chemotherapy that damages cancer cell DNA, Ifosfamide – works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells, Dacarbazine – interferes with the cancer cell’s ability to grow and multiply.

These drugs are given in cycles, with rest periods in between to allow the body to recover. The treatment is usually delivered through IV infusion in a hospital or day-care center.

Important side effects may include: Low blood counts – increasing the risk of infections, bleeding, and tiredness, Nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores, Hair loss, Bladder irritation – Mesna is given to prevent this, Fatigue and loss of appetite, Rare but serious side effects can include heart damage (from doxorubicin) and kidney problems (from ifosfamide)

19. MVAC Chemotherapy for Urinary Bladder Cancer

The MVAC regimen is a powerful combination of chemotherapy drugs used to treat urinary bladder cancer, especially in cases that are advanced or invasive. It may be given before surgery (to shrink the tumor), after surgery (to reduce the risk of recurrence), or when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

MVAC stands for the four drugs used: Methotrexate – slows the growth of cancer cells, Vinblastine – prevents cells from dividing and spreading, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) – damages the DNA of cancer cells, Cisplatin – helps destroy rapidly growing cancer cells

These medicines are usually given through IV infusions in cycles, with rest periods in between. MVAC is known to be effective but can also cause strong side effects, so it is used carefully and with close monitoring.

Important side effects may include: Low white and red blood cells – leading to increased risk of infection, tiredness, or bleeding, Nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores, Hair loss, Kidney problems (from cisplatin) – requires proper hydration and monitoring, Heart strain (from doxorubicin) – heart function may be tested before starting, Fatigue and appetite loss. Because of the intensity of the regimen, some patients may receive a dose-adjusted or modified version.

20. PCV Chemotherapy for Brain Tumors

The PCV regimen is a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of brain tumors, especially oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas, which are slow-growing brain cancers. It is often given after surgery and radiation or when the tumor comes back, to help control its growth and improve survival.

PCV includes three drugs: Procarbazine – taken as a capsule, it slows cancer cell growth, Lomustine (also called CCNU) – an oral chemotherapy that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, Vincristine – given by injection, it stops cancer cells from dividing.

This regimen is given in cycles, with breaks in between to help the body recover. Treatment usually lasts several months depending on response and tolerance.

Important side effects include: Low blood counts – leading to a higher risk of infection, tiredness, or bruising, Nausea and vomiting – common, especially with procarbazine and lomustine, Constipation and numbness/tingling – often caused by vincristine, Hair thinning, fatigue, and appetite loss, Liver function changes and possible lung toxicity in rare cases, Strict dietary restrictions may be needed with procarbazine to avoid blood pressure issues (patients may need to avoid certain foods like aged cheese or alcohol)

21. R-CHOP Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

R-CHOP is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy regimens to treat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), especially diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This treatment is given in cycles and works by attacking fast-growing cancer cells in the lymphatic system.

R-CHOP includes five key drugs: Rituximab – a targeted therapy that attaches to cancerous B-cells and helps the immune system destroy them, Cyclophosphamide – a chemotherapy drug that kills dividing cells, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) – attacks cancer cells by damaging their DNA, Vincristine – prevents cancer cells from multiplying, Prednisone – a steroid that reduces inflammation and helps kill lymphoma cells

Treatment is usually given every 21 days, and most patients receive around 6 cycles depending on their response.

Important side effects may include: Low white blood cell counts, which can increase the risk of infection, Hair loss, tiredness, and mouth sores, Nausea, though it is usually well managed with medicines, Nerve problems like tingling or numbness (from vincristine), Increased blood sugar or mood changes (due to prednisone), Rarely, heart-related issues from doxorubicin in patients with prior heart problems.

22. R-EPOCH Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

R-EPOCH is a chemotherapy regimen used to treat certain aggressive types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, such as Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. It combines chemotherapy with a targeted drug called rituximab and is usually given as an inpatient or prolonged day-care infusion over several days.

The R-EPOCH regimen includes the following medicines: Rituximab – a targeted therapy that helps the immune system find and destroy cancerous B-cells, Etoposide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin – chemotherapy drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, Cyclophosphamide – another strong anti-cancer drug, Prednisone – a steroid that reduces inflammation and also helps attack cancer cells.

This combination is often given over 5 days, with close monitoring for side effects.

Common side effects include: Low blood counts, especially white blood cells, leading to a higher risk of infections, Hair loss, tiredness, and mouth sores, Nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes (nerve-related, due to vincristine), Mood swings, increased appetite, or sleep issues from prednisone, Rarely, heart strain (from doxorubicin) or liver enzyme changes.

23. TCH Chemotherapy for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

TCH is a common chemotherapy regimen used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer, which is a more aggressive type of breast cancer that has too much of a protein called HER2. TCH stands for three key drugs used together: Docetaxel – a chemotherapy drug that stops cancer cells from dividing, Carboplatin – a platinum-based chemo that damages cancer cell DNA, Trastuzumab (Herceptin) – a targeted therapy that attaches to HER2 proteins and helps the immune system destroy cancer cells.

This combination is often used after surgery, or sometimes before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy), to shrink tumors and reduce the chance of recurrence.

Common side effects of TCH may include: Hair loss, fatigue, and low white blood cells, which can increase infection risk, Nausea or vomiting, especially from carboplatin, Tingling or numbness in hands and feet (neuropathy from docetaxel), Mild heart strain – Trastuzumab can affect heart function, so heart checks (like ECHO) are done regularly, Mouth sores, temporary taste changes, and menstrual irregularities may also occur

24. TCHP Chemotherapy for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

TCHP is a powerful and commonly used treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, especially in early-stage cases where the goal is to shrink the tumor before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) or to reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery. This regimen includes four drugs: Docetaxel – a chemotherapy that stops cancer cells from dividing, Carboplatin – a platinum-based drug that damages the DNA of cancer cells, Trastuzumab (Herceptin) – a targeted therapy that blocks the HER2 protein, Pertuzumab – another HER2-targeted drug that works with trastuzumab for better results

Together, these drugs are very effective in treating HER2-positive cancers by attacking the cancer cells from multiple angles.

Common side effects may include: Hair loss, fatigue, and low blood counts, which can lead to infections, Diarrhea, nausea, and mouth sores, Tingling or numbness in hands/feet (due to docetaxel), Heart-related side effects, especially from trastuzumab and pertuzumab — so heart function tests are done regularly, Menstrual changes and possible early menopause in some women.

25. TAC Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

TAC is a strong and commonly used chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer, especially in early-stage and node-positive cases. It is often given after surgery (as adjuvant therapy) to reduce the risk of cancer coming back. The three drugs used in TAC are: Docetaxel – stops cancer cells from dividing, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) – damages cancer cell DNA, Cyclophosphamide – interferes with the cancer cells’ ability to grow and multiply

This combination is effective in killing fast-growing cancer cells and improving long-term outcomes.

Common side effects of TAC may include: Hair loss, nausea, and vomiting, Mouth sores, fatigue, and loss of appetite, Low white blood cell counts, which can increase infection risk (sometimes needing a G-CSF injection to boost immunity), Tingling or numbness in hands or feet (from docetaxel), Heart monitoring may be needed because of doxorubicin’s potential effect on heart function, Menstrual changes and possible fertility effects in premenopausal women.

26. VIP Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer

VIP is a chemotherapy regimen used to treat testicular cancer, especially in advanced cases or when other treatments have not worked well. It combines three powerful anti-cancer drugs: Vinblastine – slows down the growth of cancer cells, Ifosfamide – attacks and destroys dividing cells, Cisplatin – damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from multiplying.

This combination is effective in treating germ cell tumors of the testis, often after surgery has been done to remove the main tumor.

Important side effects that patients may experience include: Nausea and vomiting (usually managed with anti-nausea medicines), Hair loss, Fatigue and weakness, Low blood counts, leading to a higher risk of infections, bleeding, or anemia, Kidney damage (from cisplatin), so regular kidney tests are needed, Bladder irritation or bleeding (from ifosfamide), which is prevented using a protective drug called mesna, Numbness or tingling in hands and feet (nerve damage), Hearing issues or ringing in the ears (less common).

27. 7+3 Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

The 7+3 regimen is a common and powerful treatment used to fight Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) — a fast-growing blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. The name “7+3” refers to how the treatment is given: Cytarabine is given for 7 days in a row (through an IV drip), and Daunorubicin is given for the first 3 days.

This combination helps to quickly kill the abnormal leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow, giving space for healthy cells to grow back.

Important side effects may include: Severe drop in blood counts, leading to tiredness, bleeding, or risk of infections, Mouth sores and gut discomfort, Hair loss, Nausea or vomiting, Fever or chills (especially if infection sets in during low immunity), Changes in heart function (daunorubicin may affect the heart in some cases).

Patients usually need to stay in the hospital during this treatment because of the strong effects on the immune system. Supportive care like antibiotics, blood transfusions, and hydration, is often required.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy regimens may seem complex, but each plan is chosen with care to give patients the best chance at recovery. Whether it’s ABVD for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, AC-T for breast cancer, or FOLFOX for colorectal cancer, understanding the purpose and side effects of these treatments helps patients feel more informed and empowered. With medical teams guiding every step, side effects can be managed, and outcomes are constantly improving. At the affordable cancer clinic in Chennai, patients not only receive advanced chemotherapy but also compassionate support, ensuring that treatment is not just about fighting cancer but also about healing with dignity.