Chemotherapy
Overview
Chemotherapy consists of a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells within the body.
Chemotherapy is most frequently used to treat cancer since cancer cells grow and multiply far more quickly than most cells within the body.
Many different chemotherapy drugs are available. Chemotherapy drugs are often used alone or together to treat a good sort of cancers.
Though chemotherapy is efficient thanks to treating many sorts of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of side effects. Some chemotherapy side effects are mild and treatable, while others can cause serious complications.
Why it's done?
Chemotherapy is made use to kill cancer cells in people with cancer. There is a range of settings within which chemotherapy could also be utilized in people with cancer:
Chemotherapy is often used after other treatments, like surgery, to kill any cancer cells that may remain within the body. Oncologist call this adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is often availed to shrink a tumour so as other treatments, like radiation and surgery, are possible. Doctors call this neoadjuvant therapy.
To ease signs and symptoms. Chemotherapy may help relieve signs and symptoms of cancer by killing numerous cancer cells. Doctors call this palliative chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy for conditions apart from cancer. Some chemotherapy drugs have proved useful in treating other conditions, such as: Bone marrow diseases. Diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood cells could also be treated with a Bone Marrow transplant, also referred to as a stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy is usually used to brace oneself for a bone marrow transplant.
Immune system disorders. Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs can help control an overactive immune system in certain diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Risks
Side effects of chemotherapy drugs may be significant. Each drug has different side effects, and not every drug causes every side effect. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the actual drugs you’ll receive.
Side effects that occur during chemotherapy treatment
Common side effects of chemotherapy drugs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Pain
- Constipation
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding
Many of those side effects are often prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.