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This information is about a chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer called MM. It describes the drugs used, how they are given and some of the possible side effects. If you have any questions you can ask your doctor or nurse at the hospital where you are having your treatment, or speak to one of our cancer support service nurses.
MM is named after the initials of the chemotherapy drugs used, which are methotrexate and mitoxantrone.
Sometimes the term MM may be used to describe a combination of mitomycin and mitoxantrone, which is a different treatment. Our cancer support service nurses can give you further information about this combination.
MM treatment can usually be given to you as a day patient. You will need to have a blood test before you start treatment – either on the same day, or a few days beforehand. You will also be seen by a doctor, specialist nurse or pharmacist. If the results of your blood test are normal, the pharmacy will prepare your chemotherapy drugs. All of this may take a couple of hours.
The nurse will then put a thin tube (cannula) into a vein in your hand or arm. You may find this uncomfortable or a little painful, but it should not take long. Some people have their chemotherapy given through a thin plastic tube that is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone (central line), or passed through a vein in their arm (PICC line). Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this to you.
You will be given some anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs. These are often given by injection through the cannula, central or PICC line, which is connected to a drip (infusion), although some anti-sickness drugs may be given as tablets. The chemotherapy drugs are then given separately:
Altogether, the treatment will usually take up to an hour.
If you are having your treatment as a day patient you can then go home. The cannula will be removed and you will be given a supply of anti-sickness drugs to take with you. It is important to take these regularly as directed even if you are not feeling sick. This is because some anti-sickness drugs are much better at preventing sickness than stopping it once it starts.
Although the methotrexate is often given first, the order in which the drugs are given will not alter their effectiveness.
Your doctor may use the word 'regimen' (eg the MM regimen) when talking about your chemotherapy. This means the whole plan or schedule of the particular treatment that you are receiving.
You will be given methotrexate and mitoxantrone (as described) at the start of your treatment. After this you will have a rest period with no chemotherapy for the next three weeks. This completes what is called a cycle of your treatment.
After the rest period, the same drugs will be given to you again, which begins the next cycle of your treatment. Usually 4–6 cycles are given over a period of 3–5 months. This makes up a course of treatment.
Each person's reaction to chemotherapy is different. Some people have very few side effects, while others may experience more. The side effects described below will not affect everyone who is having MM chemotherapy. We have outlined the most common side effects, so that you can be aware of them if they occur. However, we have not included those which are rare and therefore unlikely to affect you. If you notice any effects that you think may be due to the drug, but which are not listed here, please let your nurse or doctor know.
Lowered resistance to infection MM can reduce the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow, making you more prone to infection. This effect can begin seven days after treatment has been given, and your resistance to infection usually reaches its lowest point 10–14 days after chemotherapy. Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually have returned to normal levels before your next cycle of chemotherapy is due.
Contact your doctor or the hospital straightaway if:
You will have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to make sure that your number of white blood cells has returned to normal. Occasionally, it may be necessary to delay treatment if your number of blood cells (blood count) is still low.
Bruising or bleeding MM can reduce the production of platelets (which help the blood to clot). Let your doctor know if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) While having treatment with MM you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired and breathless. Let your doctor or nurse know if these effects are a problem.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) Your doctor can prescribe very effective anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If the sickness is not controlled or if it continues, tell your doctor, who can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs which may be more effective. Some anti-sickness drugs can cause constipation. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.
Tiredness Many people feel extremely tired (fatigued) during chemotherapy, particularly towards the end of treatment. This is a very common side effect and it is important to try to get as much rest as you need.
Gritty and sensitive eyes If this happens let your doctor know. They can prescribe soothing eye drops.
Hair loss Hair may thin. It is very rare for it to be lost completely. If you do have any hair loss it is temporary. Your hair will start to grow again once treatment has finished.
Sore mouth and ulcers Your mouth may become sore and dry, or you may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids and cleaning your teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush can help to reduce the risk of this happening. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have any of these problems, as they can give you special mouthwashes and medicines to prevent or clear any mouth infection.
Taste changes You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will usually come back after the treatment finishes.
Diarrhoea If you have diarrhoea it can usually be controlled easily with medicine. Let your doctor know if it is severe or if it continues. Try and drink as many as 2–3 litres of fluid a day to replace the fluid that you are losing.
Discoloured urine Your urine may become a blue/green colour (due to the mitoxantrone) for up to 24 hours after you have had treatment.
Skin changes Rarely, your skin may darken. If it does, it usually goes back to normal a few months after the treatment has finished. Because of the mitoxantrone your skin may temporarily have a blue tinge. Tears and the whites of the eyes may also be slightly blue in colour.
During treatment, and for several months afterwards, you will be more sensitive to the sun and your skin may burn more easily. You can still go out in the sun, but always wear a high protection factor suncream and cover up with clothes and a hat.
Your kidneys may be affected Your kidneys will be checked by a blood test before each treatment.
Changes in nails Your nails may become darker and white lines may appear on them. These changes usually grow out over a few months once the treatment has finished.
Your liver may be temporarily affected MM may cause changes in the way that your liver works, although your liver will return to normal when the treatment has finished. These changes are unlikely to cause you any harm but your doctor will monitor this carefully. Samples of your blood will be taken from time to time to check your liver function.
Always let your doctor or nurse know about any side effects that you have. There are usually ways in which they can be controlled or improved.
Risk of blood clots Cancer can increase your risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis), and having chemotherapy may increase this risk further. A blood clot may cause symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in a leg, or breathlessness and chest pain. Blood clots can be very serious, so it is important to tell your doctor straightaway if you have any of these symptoms. However, most clots can usually be successfully treated by using drugs which thin the blood. Your doctor or nurse can give you more information.
Other medicines Some other medicines can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. Let your doctor know about any medications you are taking, including non-prescribed drugs such as complementary therapies and herbal drugs.
Fertility Your ability to become pregnant may be affected by this treatment. It is important to discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment.
Contraception It is not advisable to become pregnant while taking this treatment, as the developing foetus may be harmed. It is important to use effective contraception while taking these drugs, and for at least a few months afterwards. Again, discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
Loss of periods Due to the effect of chemotherapy on the ovaries, you may find that your periods become irregular and may eventually stop. In younger women this may be temporary but if you are closer to your menopause it may be permanent. This will result in menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats and vaginal dryness.
This section is based upon our MM chemotherapy factsheet which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
For further references, please see the general bibliography.
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