Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs. This article focuses on cancer chemotherapy.
Alternative NamesCancer chemotherapy; Cancer drug therapy; Cytotoxic chemotherapy
InformationChemotherapy drugs can be given by mouth or injection. Because the medicines travel through the blood stream to the entire body, chemotherapy is considered a body-wide (systemic) treatment.
Chemotherapy may be used to:
Chemotherapy medicines usually target cells that quickly divide. However, normal cells -- including those found in the blood, hair, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract -- also divide very quickly. That means chemotherapy can also damage or kill these healthy cells. When this occurs, side effects such as nausea, anemia, and hair loss can occur. Some persons who receive chemotherapy also have fatigue, nerve pain, and infection.
Side effects of chemotherapy depend on many things, including the type of cancer and specific drugs being used. Newer chemotherapy drugs that better target cancer cells may cause fewer side effects.
Chemotherapy drugs are designed to kill cells that divide fast-dividing cells. Cancer cells divide rapidly, so the most important effect of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, some normal cells in the body also divide fast, and they can also be affected by chemotherapy.
Skin and hair cells are among the most rapidly-dividing, and for this reason chemotherapy patients often lose their hair and do not grow new hair until their chemotherapy course is finished. The skin may become dry and sores may form in the mouth. Many patients wear wigs, hats, or scarves. Moisturizer can be used for the skin, and soothing medications can be prescribed for the mouth sores.
Another kind of fast-dividing cells are those that line the stomach and intestines. For that reason, patients often suffer from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. One way to soothe the stomach is to eat ginger. Ginger tea may be drunk on the day of chemotherapy and for a few days afterward if the nausea persists, or food rich in ginger may be effective. Much Asian food is traditionally rich in ginger, so chemo is a great excuse for visiting yummy Thai restaurants on the day of chemo. Epicurean.com has some good recipes containing ginger. Medications for nausea and vomiting include Compazine and Scopolamine. Both drugs can cause drowsiness.
Bone marrow cells also divide rapidly. They are the cells responsible for making blood cells. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, carry oxygen through the body. When there are not enough red blood cells, a condition called anemia, patients may feel tired. A medication called erythropoetin can be given to encourage the body to make more red blood cells. If anemia becomes too severe, a blood transfusion may be indicated.
White blood cells play an important role in defending the body from infections. When the white blood cell count becomes too low, patients are in danger from microorganisms. Growth factors can be given to help the bone marrow make more white blood cells.
Platelets function in blood clotting. When platelet levels become too low, bleeding and bruising take place. A low platelet count, thrombocytopenia, can be treated with platelet transfusions.
Cancer patients may live many years in remission thanks to chemotherapy. Handling the unintended effects of chemo helps to make life worth living.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs. This article focuses on cancer chemotherapy.
Alternative NamesCancer chemotherapy; Cancer drug therapy; Cytotoxic chemotherapy
InformationChemotherapy drugs can be given by mouth or injection. Because the medicines travel through the bloodstream to the entire body, chemotherapy is considered a body-wide (systemic) treatment.
Chemotherapy may be used to:
HOW CHEMOTHERAPY IS GIVEN
Depending on the type of cancer and where it is found, chemotherapy may be given in a number of different ways, including:
Different chemotherapy drugs may be given at the same time or after each other. Patients may receive radiation therapy before, after, or while they are getting chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is most often given in cycles. These cycles may last one day, several days, or a week or more. There will usually be a rest period when no chemotherapy is given between each cycle. A rest period may last for days, weeks, or months.
Often, the chemotherapy is given at a special clinic or at the hospital. Some people are able to receive chemotherapy in their home, even when the chemotherapy is given into the veins. Patients and their family members will receive special training.
When chemotherapy is given over a longer period of time, a thin catheter can be placed into a large vein near the heart. The catheter is placed during a minor surgical procedure. This is called a central line or a percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC).
SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY
Chemotherapy medicines work best on cells that divide often to make new cells. This is typical of most cancer cells.
However, some normal cells -- including those found in the blood, hair, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract -- also divide very quickly. Chemotherapy can also damage or kill these healthy cells.
When this damage occurs, there can be side effects. Some people who receive chemotherapy:
Side effects of chemotherapy depend on many things, including the type of cancer, and which drugs are being used. Each patient reacts differently to these drugs. Some newer chemotherapy drugs that better target cancer cells may cause fewer side effects.
Your doctor and nurse will explain what you can do at home to prevent or treat side effects, such as:
You will need to have follow-up visits with your doctor and nurse during and after chemotherapy. Blood tests and imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, will be done to:
Perry MC. Principles of cancer therapy. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 192.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/02/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
how does chemotherapy affect wieghtloss
You can visit www.cancer.org for more information on chemotherapy side effects.
You can find information on the side effects of chemotherapy by visiting www.cancer.org. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
The effects of chemotherapy can be very dangerous. Some of the side effects include infection, dehydration, blood in the urine, and blood clots, and a condition called Thrombocytopenia.
Chemotherapy given by intramuscular injection is absorbed into the blood more slowly than IV chemotherapy. Because of this, the effects of IM chemotherapy may last longer than chemotherapy given intravenously.
There are several possible effects of chemotherapy on eyes, since chemotherapy is a lump term that describes treatment through use of drugs. These effects would depend on what type of chemotherapy. You should consult your doctor about the specific side-effects of your specific type of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy has different effect on different individuals< To learn more about this go to the related link(Kids health Chemotherapy) below.
the child could be possibly be born with birth deficts
Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy have unfortunate side effects. Chemotherapy can result in nausea
Unfortunately the side effects of chemotherapy can be fairly troublesome. One such side effect is depression of the immune system leaving the patient more vulnerable to infections and sickness. Chemotherapy can also be physically tiring or even exhausting. Some consider this worse than others but chemotherapy can also lead to hair loss.
Currently, chemotherapy is the most effective way to treat breast cancer. Though it has its side effects, chemotherapy is safe and has a high success rate.
The long-term side effects of chemotherapy are determined by factors such as the body part or parts affected by cancer, the type of chemotherapy given, and the overall health of the patient before chemotherapy. Some long-term effects may include heart problems, decreased lung capacity, fatigue, hormone problems, and joint problems. Cancer can be beaten and the benefit of chemotherapy is far greater than the risks.
There are alot of side effects beginning with nausea being the most common. In some cases, there is hair loss and severe lethargy among many other effects depending on the type and amount of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has a wide range of side effects. Most notable are the hair loss and extreme nausea associate with chemo treatments. Some patients also report severe migraine headaches.