Stanford V Chemotherapy

Stanford V is the name of a chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of advanced stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is an effective chemotherapy regimen for newly diagnosed patients who have very large nodes in the chest or widespread disease. It is most commonly used in the United States. Stanford V chemotherapy involves delivering a short but intensive drug schedule along with radiation therapy.

Drugs Used in the Stanford V Regimen

A combination of seven drugs is used in Stanford V.

• Adriamycin/Rubex (Doxorubicin) -- given as an infusion in your veins on days 1 and 15.
• Velban (Vinblastine) -- given as a short intravenous infusion on days 1 and 15.
• Mustargen (Mechloroethamine/ Nitrogen Mustard) -- given as a short intravenous infusion on day 1.
• VePesid (Etoposide) -- given as an infusion in your veins on days 15 and 16.
• Blenoxane (Bleomycin) -- given as a short intravenous injection on days 8 and 22.
• Oncovin (Vincristine) -- given as a short intravenous infusion on days 8 and 22.
• Prednisone -- pills taken by mouth daily.

How Frequently is Stanford V Given?

Each cycle of Stanford V involves these seven drugs given on their scheduled days. Each cycle is repeated every 28 days.

How Many Cycles Are Required?

Three cycles of Stanford V are usually required, along with a course of radiotherapy in advanced stage disease.

Tests Required with Stanford V Chemotherapy

Before Stanford V chemotherapy is started, blood counts as well as blood tests for kidney and liver function are done. An echocardiogram is required to test heart function before the treatment begins. As doxorubicin may occasionally affect the heart, it's important to have that information for comparison later on during the treatment. A chest x-ray and lung function tests may be used to gauge the fitness of the lungs prior to use of bleomycin, as this drug can affect the lungs.

During chemotherapy, blood counts are required before every drug injection cycle. Other tests may be repeated as required.

Side Effects During Chemotherapy

• A fall in blood counts is very common, and it will be routinely monitored. Growth factors (drugs used to raise the white blood cell count) are routinely required along with the chemo drugs. Low counts despite growth factors may result in delaying cycles, and measures to protect against infection must be strictly followed. If you develop a fever, report it to your doctor immediately.

• Nausea and vomiting may be common, and anti-emetics (drugs that prevent and control nausea and vomiting) will be routinely prescribed.

• Hair loss

• Sore mouth, stomach upset and diarrhea

• Discoloration of skin and nails

• Some of the drugs, especially Mustargen, may cause severe skin irritation if they come in contact with the skin or leak into the tissues outside the veins. They are administered very carefully with several precautions.

• Mild alteration of sensations in hands and feet