High-dose chemotherapy

High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) is a regimen of chemotherapy medicines given at larger dosages. This therapeutic strategy is used to treat some cancers, especially those that are aggressive or have a high chance of coming back. With increased doses of chemotherapy chemicals administered to the body, HDC seeks to optimize the death of cancer cells. It is commonly linked with blood cancers like multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. HDC is also used in solid tumors such as germ cell tumors and certain high risk or recurrent breast cancers. The role of HDC in breast cancer is more controversial and is generally reserved for the setting of clinical trials. It can be used as a treatment option for patients who have experienced a relapse following initial chemotherapy or for those with unfavorable prognostic factors. It was first explored as a potential treatment option in the field of oncology in the late 1970s. It has been found to enhance patient outcomes and is currently the standard of care for patients in the U.S. and Europe.