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Cancer Treatment Information

Treatment Options > Chemotherapy > OncoLink Rx

Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome)

Hematology-Oncology Patient/Family Education Comittee
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Dacarbazine (da kar' ba zeen)
Other Name: DTIC-Dome

How it is given:	Dacarbazine is injected into a vein. It can be given alone or with other drugs.
How it works:	Dacarbazine slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.

Side Effects And Precautions

Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any allergies and what medications you are currently taking, both prescription and over the counter medications. This includes vitamins, herbs, nutritional supplements and any recreational drugs. Ask your doctor about drinking alcoholic beverages. Not everyone experiences side effects during chemotherapy and most side effects are temporary. The side effects that you may experience are:

Common Side Effects

Decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia)
Puts you at risk of infection.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse for a fever of 100.4 F or greater. Avoid people with the flu or colds. When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves. Do not handle pet waste. Keep all cuts or scratches clean. Shower or bath daily and refer to Chemotherapy and You (NCI, 1997) for mouth care. Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. You may wear nail polish but not fake nails. Ask your doctor or nurse before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Ask you doctor or nurse before you or a family member has any vaccinations.

Decrease in red blood cells (anemia)
Causes loss of energy.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you feel more tired than usual or short of breath while doing normal activities.

Decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia)
Puts you at risk for bruising and bleeding.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding. Do not floss or use toothpicks. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or cotton swab. Ask your doctor or nurse before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Use an electric razor to avoid cuts. Do not use medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen without asking your doctor or nurse.

Nausea and Vomiting
What to do: Take your anti-nausea medications as prescribed. Try to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day. Avoid eating fatty foods, large meals, and acidic foods (e.g. tomatoes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits) and spicy or hot foods when you feel nauseated. Call your doctor or nurse if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy at any time.

Decreased appetite
What to do: Try to eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day. If you are not eating enough, nutritional supplements may help. Ask your nurse for a copy of the Eating Hints booklet (NCI, 1995) and about nutritional counseling services.

Taste and smell changes
You may experience a metallic taste or dislike foods or beverages that you liked before receiving chemotherapy. These symptoms can last up to several months.
What to do: Avoid any food that you think smells or tastes bad. If red meat is a problem, eat chicken, turkey, eggs, dairy products and fish without a strong smell. Flavor meat or fish by marinating it in sweet juices, sweet and sour sauce or dressings. Use seasonings like basil, oregano or rosemary. Bacon, ham and onion can add flavor to vegetables. Ask your nurse for the Eating Hints booklet (NCI, 1995) and about nutritional counseling services.

Localized skin irritation
Even when carefully and correctly administered by trained personnel, this drug may cause feeling of burning and pain. Also there is a risk that this drug may leak out of the vein at the injection site. A localized skin irritation may result.
What to do: If the area of injection becomes red, swollen, or painful at anytime during or after the injection, notify your doctor or nurse immediately. Do not apply anything to the site unless instructed by your doctor or nurse.

Flu-like symptoms
Dacarbazine can cause fever, body aches and sometimes a rash. You may also experience weakness and headache. These symptoms generally do not last long. These symptoms usually occur during the treatment and stop after the treatment is discontinued.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse for fever > 100.4F or any other symptom listed. Drink plenty of fluids.

Sexual and reproductive changes
The menstrual cycle and sperm production may become irregular or stop permanently. Women may experience menopausal effects including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The desire for sex may decrease during treatment. Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects.
What to do: Discuss with your doctor or nurse how these changes will affect you. You may want to ask about sperm banking, egg harvesting, menopausal symptoms, sexual or relationship problems. Effective birth control is necessary during treatment. Contact your doctor or nurse if you think you may be pregnant. Do not breast feed while on this medication.

Uncommon Side Effects

Liver changes
Your doctor may order some blood tests to check your liver function.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have abdominal pain, if you pass dark urine, or if your skin or the white of your eyes become jaundiced (yellow in color).

When given in high doses Dacarbazine can cause:

Sun sensitivity
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. This can result in severe sunburn or rash. Sun sensitivity can be long lasting even after the chemotherapy is completed.
What to do: Avoid long exposure to the sun especially during the hours of 10am to 2pm. While in the sun wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. Use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 on exposed skin.