Chemotherapy

(kee-moe-THER-uh-pee) The use of medicines that kill cells (cytotoxic agents). People with high-risk or intermediate-2 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be given chemotherapy to kill bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. cells that have an abnormal size, shape, or look. Chemotherapy hurts healthy cells along with abnormal cells. If chemotherapy works in controlling abnormal cells, then relatively normal blood cells will start to grow again. Low-dose chemotherapy agents include - cytarabine (Ara-C) cytarabine (Ara-C): Cytarabine (ara-C) is a chemotherapy drug. This medicine reduces the growth of cancer cells and can suppress the immune system. It is used for treating leukemias or lymphomas. It is often given with other cancer drugs. and hydroxyurea hydroxyurea: Hydroxyurea is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. Hydroxyurea treats cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body. It can be used alone or with other medications to treat a certain types of leukemias.  (Hydrea). High-dose chemotherapy agents include daunorubicin daunorubicin: Daunorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body. It is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  (Cerubidine), idarubicin (Idamycin), and mitoxanrone (Novantrone).