Cancer specialists often use Bleomycin to treat their patients. This medication is in the class of chemotherapy agents called antitumor antibiotics, and its cancer cell killing mechanism is not specific to a particular stage of cell reproduction. The medication does, however, bind with the DNA of cancer cells, causing difficulties with DNA and RNA synthesis. Bleomycin is also known by the brand name Blenoxane®. It can be prescribed by itself, or in combination with other chemotherapy medications.
Types of Cancer Treated with Bleomycin
Doctors prescribe Bleomycin for all manner of squamous cell cancers, including those of the head and neck. Cancers related to the genitals in both sexes, such as those of the cervix and vulva, and malignancies of the penis and testicles, are often treated with Bleomycin. The medication is also used for the serious skin cancer melanoma, as well as lymphomas.
