Carboplatin

Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is a type of chemotherapy used to treat early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. It is most frequently given to treat triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers.

Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy. Carboplatin and similar medicines, such as cisplatin, contain the metal platinum.

How carboplatin works

Carboplatin kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA and stopping them from dividing.

Who gets carboplatin

Carboplatin is used to treat several types of breast cancer. It is most commonly used for triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers.

For early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, carboplatin is often given before surgery as part of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, combined with other medicines. It is particularly active in tumors with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, as these tumors have difficulty repairing the DNA damage that carboplatin causes.

For early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, carboplatin is commonly given as part of a regimen that includes docetaxel (Taxotere) or paclitaxel (Taxol) along with the targeted therapies trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta). This regimen may be given before or after surgery.

Carboplatin may also be used to treat metastatic breast cancer.

How carboplatin is given

Carboplatin is given by vein through an intravenous (IV) line or through a chemotherapy port. A port is a temporary implantable device usually placed under the skin in the chest to help avoid repeated needle sticks.

Carboplatin is most commonly given once every 3 weeks or weekly, though the exact schedule depends on the combination of medicines used and your specific diagnosis.

Before and during treatment, your doctor will monitor your kidney function with blood tests. You will receive fluids through your IV on treatment days to help protect your kidneys. Drinking plenty of water at home on those days is also recommended.

Side effects

Different medicines have different side effects. You may not have every side effect related to each medicine. Side effects of carboplatin include:

• Decrease of white blood cells
• Decrease in platelet count; platelets help your blood clot
• Neuropathy, or tingling in the hands and feet
• Fatigue
• Hair loss or thinning
• Kidney damage
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hearing changes

Less common side effects include:

• Allergic reactions
• Kidney problems

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the counter-medicines, to make sure they will not interfere with your chemotherapy treatment. Also tell your doctor if you have had a past allergic reaction to carboplatin, cisplatin, or other platinum-based medicines, or if you have a history of kidney disease.

While you are taking carboplatin, drink lots of fluids to avoid kidney side effects. Ask your doctor how much and how often you should drink each day.

Seek immediate medical care if you have chills or a fever of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which may be signs of infection.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. You can also visit our section on side effects for more information.