What Is Docetaxel Used For?

Docetaxel uses are primarily for the treatment of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and head and neck cancer. Healthcare providers may also occasionally recommend "off-label" docetaxel uses, such as treating ovarian cancer and malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Docetaxel is not approved for use in treating cancer in children.

 

What Is Docetaxel Used For?

Docetaxel (Taxotere®) is a prescription medication used to treat various types of cancer. It is part of a group of chemotherapy medications called taxanes. Specifically, docetaxel is approved to treat the following types of cancer:
 
Docetaxel is often used in combination with other chemotherapy medications (in a chemotherapy "regimen").
 

How Does Docetaxel Work?

Docetaxel is part of a group of medications called taxanes. Taxanes stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying by interfering with certain structures in the cell.
 
While docetaxel can kill both healthy and cancerous cells, it has a greater effect on cells that are multiplying rapidly. Generally, cancer cells multiply more rapidly than healthy cells and are therefore more affected by docetaxel.
 

Docetaxel Uses in Children

Docetaxel is not approved for treating cancer in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using docetaxel in children.
 

Off-Label Docetaxel Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend docetaxel for something other than the conditions listed in this article. Currently, off-label docetaxel uses include the treatment of the following cancers:
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;