Chemotherapy For Cancer
One of three common treatments for cancer, chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow down the progression of cancer cells. Different chemotherapy drugs are used for different types of cancers and can be combined with other treatments, like radiation therapy or surgery.
Chemotherapy often causes side effects, such as fatigue, nausea and mouth sores. Most side effects subside after treatment ends; however, some side effects can develop late in treatment and cause long-lasting issues, such as heart and kidney problems, or damage to nerve and lung tissue. Make sure to talk to your oncologist early about these potential side effects.
To prepare for chemotherapy, ask your doctor for tests to check your heart and liver functions to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo treatment. Once youre ready for treatment, you may receive the drugs intravenously through a port in your chest, orally by taking a pill or through an injection into a muscle.
Recently Answered
- Q Do all cancers require chemotherapy?
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Over 50% of all people being treated for cancer receive chemotherapy, which can be given in various ways. Chemotherapy may be used alone or provided before, after, and in some cases during cancer surgery, or in combination with radiation therapy. Full Answer
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- Q Does homeopathy help treat chemotherapy adverse effects?
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Limited research shows that gargling with a homeopathic remedy may reduce the swelling of the mouth that is caused by chemotherapy in children. More studies are needed. You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified... Full Answer
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- Q What is chemo brain?
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Sometimes cancer survivors experience slight changes in their ability to remember or concentrate well after they have received chemotherapy. This very mild form of dementia is sometimes called "chemo-brain." Even these mild cognitive changes can... Full Answer
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- Q Is there any way to avoid losing my hair while I'm getting chemotherapy?
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If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, ask your physician if cold cap therapy from Dignicap or Penguin Cold Caps is an option for you. Used in Europe for over 15 years, the technology is finally making its way stateside. By wearing cooled caps... Full Answer
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- Q What are some long-term side effects of chemo?
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Many chemo side effects go away fairly quickly, but some may take months or even years to completely go away. Some side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Certain... Full Answer
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- Q Should I limit contact with a cancer patient who's receiving chemotherapy?
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There is no reason to limit contact with a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy treatment. But you will need to handle the following items with special care: The chemotherapy medication itself and anything that comes in contact with it, such as... Full Answer
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- Q How should I handle body fluids of someone receiving chemotherapy?
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Body fluids of a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy medication should be treated as hazardous waste. Body fluids include blood, vomit, stool, urine, or sexual fluids. Follow these tips to protect yourself: Use gloves. During a chemotherapy treatment... Full Answer
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- Q How should I handle the laundry of someone receiving chemotherapy?
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When handling the laundry of someone with cancer receiving chemotherapy, wear gloves and carry soiled items away from your body. Wash the patient's linens (sheets, towels, etc.) separately from your other laundry. Machine wash them in hot water, through... Full Answer
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- Q As a patient receiving chemotherapy, how can I prevent infections?
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Joane Goodroe, NursingBecause of a decrease in the immune system, chemotherapy patients are more susceptible to infection. There are things that patients can do to decrease the chance of infection. The CDC has created the following is a new interactive website for cancer... Full Answer
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- Q What should I do if chemotherapy medication gets on my skin or eyes?
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Chemotherapy on the skin or in eyes may produce irritation. Follow these tips: If it gets on your skin, completely wash and rinse the area using soap and water. Do this three times, and then dry the skin. If the area stays red for more than an hour,... Full Answer
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